Push Admin

FIBA referee on PH Arena brawl: ‘Walang dapat sisihin, lahat may pagkukulang’

Article (news)

Dominic Menor, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/07/05/20180705-fiba.jpg"/><figcaption>When the game between the Philippines and Australia at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, on Monday night turned into a riot, the brawl itself wasn’t an unusual sight for veteran FIBA referee Bong Pascual, but the setting it was happening in — a FIBA World Cup qualifiers — was. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>Bong Pascual said he is used to seeing fights break out in games, but it was extraordinary to see one occur in a tournament at the world championship level.The veteran FIBA and PBA referee with 18 years’ experience was at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan the night Gilas Pilipinas and Australia engaged in massive fisticuffs.He was there to act as “liaison officer” to the referees’ crew composed of Ahmed al Bulushi of Oman, Hatim Alharbi of Saudi Arabia, and Paul Skayem of Lebanon.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/05/18/ph-australia-apologize-to-global-basketball-community-for-brawl">PH, Australia apologize to global basketball community for brawl</a></li>	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/05/18/san-beda-coach-hails-amer-for-calm-amid-gilas-storm">San Beda coach hails Amer for calm amid Gilas storm</a></li></ul>Pascual declined to answer ABS-CBN News’ questions regarding the quality of officiating, but he talked about what roles referees take on during a melee of that magnitude.“Ang protocol is ita-try namin (umawat). ’Pag di na namin kaya, lalo na kita mo ’yun, di mo na alam kung sino sumusuntok, aalis na kami du’n. Safety na namin ang pangangalagaan namin,” he said.“Kasi sometimes may miron na galit sa’yo, pati ikaw susuntukin nila.”Pascual said the last time he figured in a high-profile in-game fracas was one that involved Ateneo and La Salle in a UAAP game in 2003. The incident was set off when La Salle’s Jerwin Gaco pushed Ateneo’s LA Tenorio to the ground during a loose-ball play.At the time, Pascual said referees didn’t have the benefit of a video review and that led to Ateneo’s Magnum Membrere being one of the players mistakenly ejected from the game.A blunder like that, Pascual said, is unacceptable, especially at the international level.He said the referees on Monday looked at 8 cameras to sort through the mayhem and needed ample time to make sure they made the correct calls.“Kung magdi-disqualify ka ng player, dapat sigurado ka. Baka magkamali ka, ikaw naman babalikan ng FIBA. Kasi re-review-hin ng FIBA ’yan,” Pascual said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/04/18/ph-basketball-exec-on-harsh-sanctions-we-must-be-ready-for-all-eventualities">PH, Australia apologize to global basketball community for brawl</a></li></ul>When the game at Philippine Arena turned into a riot, the brawl itself wasn’t an unusual sight for Pascual, but the setting it was happening in was.“Sa part ko kasi, tayong Pilipino, sanay tayo na may nagsusuntukan talaga. Di na pangkaraniwan sa atin kaya lang iyong sa higher level of competition like this qualifying for FIBA World Cup, dapat iyong behavior (importante),” Pascual said.“Pero sabi ko nga, kung mag-aaway, mag-aaway. Di kayang pigilin kasi lagi kong sinasabi ’pag may nag-start na isa — pak — wala na. May bumigay na isa, wala na tayong magagawa kaya wala tayong dapat sisihin diyan. Lahat may pagkukulang.”Pascual said he believes the series of actions and reactions that snowballed after the play involving RR Pogoy and Australia’s Chris Goulding late in the third quarter mirrored typical human behavior.“Kung merong nagtimpi after ng unsportsmanlike foul ni Pogoy . . . kung titingnan mo naman sa video, di naman tinamaan sa face si Goulding. Kaso naging masyadong emotional ’tong teammate niya, siyempre ganu’n din ’yung teammate natin. Nu’ng ginalaw nila si Pogoy, (sabi nila) ‘Ay, di rin ako papayag,’ ” Pascual said.“Instinct ng Piilpino player ’yan. Kaya lang kung kaya mong pigilan sarili mo, &#x27;di ka sasali sa gulo.”According to Pascual, fighting is a big deal to FIBA.“Maingat ang pagde-desisyon nila d’yan. Mainit ang ulo nila ngayon d’yan,” he said. “Parang nakikini-kinita ko na.“Di kasi biro sa kanila ’yan ’pag away. Di ordinary sa kanila ’yan. Di tulad sa PBA, mag-away kayo d’yan, sige. Meron kayong paglalagyan, ilang araw kang suspended, magkano babayaran mo (fine), mga ganu’n. Ganu’n din sa FIBA, di lang natin alam.”<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

Bong Pascual said he is used to seeing fights break out in games, but it was extraordinary to see one occur in a tournament on the world championship level.

Bong Pascual said he is used to seeing fights break out in games, but it was extraordinary to see one occur in a tournament on the world championship level.

FIBA referee on PH Arena brawl: ‘Walang dapat sisihin, lahat may pagkukulang’

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

FIBA referee on PH Arena brawl: ‘Walang dapat sisihin, lahat may pagkukulang’

Dominic Menor,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 05, 2018 07:40 PM PHT

Read More:

2019 FIBA World Cup

2019 FIBA World Cup qualifying

Gilas Pilipinas

basketball

Australia Boomers

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.