It’s going to be an emotional encounter when the Philippines and Australia clash for the second window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Australian legend Shane Heal told Fox Sports Australia that the memories of the massive brawl that broke out between Gilas Pilipinas and the Boomers eight years ago remain fresh so he expects intensity and emotions to rise as they chase the crucial victory.
One of the first few Australians to break into the National Basketball Association, the 55-year-old Heal was doing the live commentary when Gilas and the Boomers traded blows on 2 July 2018 in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers match.
He said he can still remember the chaos that started when Boomers officials removed a court decal for safety reasons during their closed-door training at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“I guess the first thing I remember was just being in shock. Matty Russell and I were just sitting in a little booth and it was just the two of us,” said Heal after seeing a fight broke out when Roger Pogoy sent Chris Goulding to the floor before he was elbowed by Daniel Kickert, triggering an all-out melee.
“It must have been late at night and once the fight started, we didn’t get any information but we had to carry it for what seemed like hours with no information. Just replays of what’s going on and having to talk every incident.”
The four-time Olympian stressed that they were in shock, fearing for the safety of the players.
“We were in shock because obviously, you just don’t see basketbrawls. Not like that,” Heal said.
Eight years later, both sides appear to have moved on. In fact, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) had already revamped the Gilas roster with June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario and assistant coach Jong Uichico serving as the only remaining members of that infamous 2018 squad.
On the other hand, Nick Kay is the only player who is still part of the Boomers eight years after the brawl.
The SBP and Basketball Australia had also put some safety measures and pre-game meetings to make sure that there would be no bad blood between Gilas and the Boomers in their first encounter in Manila since the brawl that is now considered as one of the darkest chapters in international basketball.
“We’ve been working on this relationship for years,” Basketball Australia executive general manager Jason Smith said.
“This game is a culmination of that, playing back in the environment. It’s an opportunity to move forward.”
Still, Heal expects emotions to soar come game time. After all, the Filipinos “don’t have the same talent” as the Australians so they are expected to go physical to pull off their first win over them in 52 years.
“They’re going to be going all out to prove themselves. The Filipinos are playing for the pride of their nation,” Heal added.
“So it’s going to be physical because they don’t have the same talent as our B Team. So they will play physical. They will push the boundaries, no doubt about it. And they’re going to try and drag this Boomers team down to their level.”