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Basketball Australia chief decries role of fans, officials in fracas

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/07/03/gilas.jpg"/><figcaption>Members of Gilas-Pilipinas and Australian team during a melee that disrupted the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Monday. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Even as they acknowledged their role in the melee that occurred at the Philippine Arena on Monday night, Basketball Australia still decried the involvement of team officials and fans in the brawl that marred the game between the Boomers and Gilas Pilipinas.A total of 13 players – nine Filipinos and four Australians – were thrown out of the game after the brawl that took place with some four minutes to go in the third period.Among those ejected was Roger Pogoy, whose hard foul on Chris Goulding sparked the brawl; and Daniel Kickert, the Australian player who retaliated by decking Pogoy. Also thrown out was Thon Maker, the Milwaukee Buck center who went viral after attempting to hit Terrence Romeo with a flying kick.The Boomers went on to win by default, 89-54, after the Philippines was left with just three available players. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/07/02/fiba-gilas-loses-aus-default-fight-marred-game-43830">READ: Gilas loses to Australia by default after fight-marred game</a></li></ul>Almost immediately afterward, Basketball Australia <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/02/18/australia-basketball-organization-extremely-disappointed-over-bulacan-brawl">released a statement</a> expressing their disappointment and regret about the incident.In a press conference held Tuesday morning, Basketball Australia chief executive Anthony Moore doubled down on their statement, saying: “We deeply regret the incident that occurred last night and our role in it.”“We don’t play the game in that spirit,” he said. “We had a Japan game on Friday night, a thrilling match, a one-point loss, but played in incredibly great spirit and conduct by both teams. So, last night&#x27;s game was anything but that.”<div>Fans, officials involved</div>However, Moore also noted that the Philippine team and its fans also had a huge role in the violent brawl, which spilled outside of the court and saw some members of the crowd throw water bottles near the playing area.“While we accept our responsibility for our role in last night&#x27;s incident, what we don&#x27;t accept is the action whereby fans and officials actually get involved in the fray,” said Moore.“We&#x27;ve all seen the social media, where one of our players was being assaulted by a fan, and we&#x27;ve got Chris Goulding on a pack of players and officials, prone on the court,” he added.“We&#x27;ve also got a fan throwing a chair at one of our players.”Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Jong Uichico was among those who rushed the court and sought to punch Australian players, while Peter Aguilar – father of Gilas forward Japeth Aguilar – was caught on video throwing a chair at a Boomer.Uichico <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/03/18/coach-uichico-apologizes-for-involvement-in-melee-with-australia">has since apologized</a> for his role in the melee.Still, Moore said the conduct of the Gilas team officials was “unacceptable.”“That’s certainly an issue that we’ll be addressing with FIBA,” he said.As it stands, Basketball Australia is waiting for FIBA to convene a tribunal to address the incident. Already, the world’s governing body for basketball has opened up disciplinary proceedings against both countries, with a decision expected to be released in the coming days.Moore declined to speculate as to what the possible sanctions will be, and instead stressed that their focus was on the well-being of their players, who were all shaken from the incident.“Physically, our players are fine. They&#x27;re bruised and battered, they didn&#x27;t have any breaks or anything like that. But really, it&#x27;s the mental health of our players we&#x27;re absolutely concerned about,” said Moore.“The critical issue for us last night was making sure that our players are safely able to leave the arena,” added the executive.<div>Criminal charges possible?</div>According to Moore, the Australian players, as well as coaches and management, were “in fear of their physical safety” on Monday night. “Are we actually going to get out of here unscathed?” he said. “There was a heightened sense of anxiety amongst the playing group and coaching staff.”Asked if criminal charges may be filed against the Philippine players, Moore said this was also premature.“We want to work with FIBA on the tribunal and get that outcome, and then we&#x27;ll assess our options from there. We have briefed our lawyers on matters, as you would expect us to do as a national federation on issues like this, but that&#x27;s something will address in time,” he said.However, Moore acknowledged that they would need to be reassured by FIBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) if they are to return to the Philippines for a tournament in the future – especially as the 2023 FIBA World Cup will be held there.“You can rest assured that this discussion will happen,” he said.In the meantime, Basketball Australia will continue to wait on FIBA regarding the consequences of Monday night’s brawl.“What we need to do is make sure our players aren&#x27;t harmed, and that&#x27;s what we&#x27;re working on right now. We need to work with FIBA on that interview and that tribunal process to determine the outcome. Right now, it&#x27;s in the hands of FIBA,” said Moore.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Even as they acknowledged their role in the melee that occurred at the Philippine Arena on Monday night, Basketball Australia still decried the involvement of team officials and fans in the brawl that marred the game between the Boomers and Gilas Pilipinas.

Even as they acknowledged their role in the melee that occurred at the Philippine Arena on Monday night, Basketball Australia still decried the involvement of team officials and fans in the brawl that marred the game between the Boomers and Gilas Pilipinas.

Basketball Australia chief decries role of fans, officials in fracas

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Basketball Australia chief decries role of fans, officials in fracas

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 03, 2018 12:46 PM PHT

Read More:

FIBA World Cup

basketball

brawl

Gilas PIlipinas

Basketball Australia

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