Hefty fine for Asiad pullout

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) would be meted a hefty fine should Gilas basketball team withdraws participation from the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta next month.

This was bared yesterday by a veteran sports official in reaction to a Daily Tribune story about the possibility of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) pulling out Gilas Pilipinas from the Asian Games.

An insider bared this information as the SBP awaits the verdict of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which is looking into the ugly brawl between players from the Philippines and Australia during the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier last week.

The FIBA is expected to reveal penalties against erring players today. But Basketball Australia asked to be allowed several more days to present videos and statements as it attempts to exculpate its players from sanctions.

Other than the Fiba sanction, however, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) may also slap the Philippines with penalties if it withdraws the basketball team from the Asiad.

The source said the amount of the penalty would be from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the number of days away from the Games.

“I’m not sure with the exact amount. But if the withdrawal is done around 45 days before the opening and the drawing of lots and scheduling are not yet held, the fine usually ranges around $5,000,” said the Tribune source.

“The fine will increase to $10,000 if the withdrawal is done 30 days and $20,000 if it’s done 15 days prior to the tournament.”

“The fine would cover the organizers’ expenses for the hotel accommodation, transport service and liaison officers. Of course, they already made advance payments. So, the OCA has to make sure that the organizer would recover that amount aside from the cost of hassle caused by the withdrawal.”

In 2014, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was fined $10,000 for withdrawing the men’s rugby team a few weeks before the start of the previous Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The IOA made an appeal, but COA reportedly junked it after a thorough deliberation.

Pulling out of the Asian Games is logical for SBP after five of its 12 players in the men’s basketball team are expected to be meted with heavy sanctions for their participation in the massive brawl that made international headlines.

Naturalized player Andray Blatche, Roger Pogoy, Jason Castro, Troy Rosario and Terrence Romeo were all ejected in Gilas Pilipinas’ 53-89 loss to Australia, sparking speculations that their participation in the Asian Games would be affected.

The federation admitted that time is running out for the team to find replacements to the players.

“We’re contemplating. Do we send another team or do we send a team at all?” SBP president Al Panlilio said.

“If it’s local tournament, it’s okay. But it’s the first international tournament after that FIBA game. I assume that if there are sanctions and then that’s the first international competition that we’ll join, it’s going to be a value question, a moral question,” he added.

Asian Games deputy chief of mission Robert Bachmann admitted there would surely be some serious penalties ahead.

The federation, however, can make an appeal either to the OCA or the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) and have the penalty reduced significantly.

The chief executive of INASGOC is Erick Thohir, a well-known associate of SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan.

“Well, there would definitely be some penalties should SBP formalize its withdrawal,” said Bachmann.

“But I hope INASGOC will listen to the explanation of SBP and POC officials because getting suspended is not their choice. I heard they have good relationship with the top executive of INASGOC, so that could help.”