Malacañang doesn’t tolerate the conduct displayed by Gilas Pilipinas when it got into a brawl with the Australian men’s basketball team during the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier Monday night at the Philippine Arena.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the behavior of the Filipino cagers was unsportsmanlike and shouldn’t have happened despite the reported provocation from the visiting squad.
Bad blood had been simmering between the two teams even before tip-off.
It started when the Australians ripped off the decals on the hardcourt without seeking permission, sparking a heated response from top officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Then, when the match was about to go underway, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes complained that Daniel Kickert had been hitting his players during the warm-up, something that spilled over in the 4:01 mark of the third period when Roger Pogoy decked Chris Goulding that prompted Kickert to retaliate.
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Things got scary from there as bench players and team officials of Gilas Pilipinas stormed the court while fans were spotted hitting the Australians.
At one point, assistant coach Jong Uichico was seen pummeling a helpless Goulding with powerful blows while a spectator later identified as former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Peter Aguilar hurled a metal chair into Nathan Sobey before he was hit by a powerful right hook by reserve player Jio Jalalon.
Roque said this kind of behavior has no place in Philippine sports.
“We do not justify the conduct of our Filipino players. All we’re saying is well it was a regretful incident and it should have not happened,” said Roque in a press briefing yesterday at Malacañang.”
“It was, of course, the height of being unsportsmanlike.”
Gilas players, especially Juico, Japeth Aguilar and head coach Chot Reyes, have already acknowledged their error and vowed to abide by the sanction that will be handed by FIBA.
“I think they have apologized,” said Roque, adding that the referees should have done a good job controlling the game.
“But at the same time, we’re saying that we empasize that they have to act as a team, which will not justify their conduct. I think we would have to say it was truly a regretful incident.”
The Boomers already left the country via Philippine Airlines flight PR501 yesterday afternoon.
