MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas could face punishments ranging from reprimand to suspension from FIBA for its role in the free-for-all that broke out during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Australia on Monday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Gilas manager Butch Antonio said they are in wait-and-see mode as there are many possibilities on the type of sanctions that may be slapped on the team after FIBA’s disciplinary proceedings.
“Maraming kuro-kuro. Maraming possible sanctions. It can be game suspensions, fines, penalties, reprimands, but I guess what’s best to do now is to wait for the decision,” Antonio said.
“From whatever they come up with, we can act accordingly,” he further said. “If we have to appeal or agree to stuff that they have meted on the team, the federation, a player or an official, we’ll take it from there.”
“The lightest might be a reprimand but the harshest can be outright suspensions for a number of games for players or whoever they think participated (in the brawl). Depende na iyon sa FIBA,” he added.
For his part Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman Juan Edgardo Angara said they should prepare for whatever punishment FIBA will give but stressed that an outright ban on SBP would be harsh.
“What we’re anticipating based on past sanctions meted by FIBA is more of suspensions for individual participants – players, maybe coaches and officials, possibly fines for SBP itself as the federation,” Angara, also a senator, told CNN Philippines.
“Hopefully it doesn’t get to the point where the Philippines is suspended itself. That would really set back the efforts of SBP, but we have to be prepared for all eventualities,” he added.
“If that happens, then you still have to have some friendlies, and keep [the team] in shape and keep the team together, but we’re hoping it doesn’t get to that,” he added. “Maybe we just have to recruit players to our pool, have a larger pool, in case of suspensions.”
The fight occurred at the 4:01 mark of the third quarter when Australia’s Daniel Kickert landed a forceful forearm blow to the head of Gilas’ Roger Pogoy. The brawl escalated, with players from the bench joining the melee. At the time Australia was ahead 79-48.
Nine players from Gilas and four from Boomers were ejected as a result, and the game resumed – after an interruption that lasted more than an hour – with only three Filipino players and five Australians facing off./PN
