Gilas Pilipinas got into a brawl with the Australian basketball team. How will the incident affect the Philippine national team?
Para kay Roger Pogoy ang outburst sang emotions budlay punggan. Kapin pa kay masakit. Kaangay na sang na-impito ka nga kadasig sang reaction mo. Pero mag-cool down na ang init sang ulo mo balik naman sa normal ang emotions sang tawo.
Wala sang professional sa tion ma-impito ang tawo. Ugaling sa mga upod niya it was really conduct unbecoming nga magtusmog kag magdugang sang gamo. Kong nagasimpatiya man sila kay Pogoy indi amo to ang dapat himuon, una bes wala man sila ya ginsakit. Ngaa napunggan man day June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood kag Baser Amer ang ila emotions?
Tani, nagbulig na lang sila pacify kay indi sila iya biktima sang pagpanakit sang Australian player. – RAY CABARLES, sports development officer, Province of Iloilo
It showed the bayanihan of the Pinoy. Daw kaangay lang na may nag-agribyado sa utod mo kag ginbuligan mo lang sia.
I think it won’t affect because not all Pinoys are basag-ulo. – EUBERT BABAS, Pototan, Iloilo
I watched the replay. It was bad to see your co-player being bashed. But as a professional player you should know the rules. It’s not valid to make rambol. Instead of throwing punches, the co-players should have stopped it right away. Don’t add more fuel to the fire. We should put in mind that we carry the name of our country. – NORAFE LOSBAÑES, overseas Filipino worker in Singapore
The incident has many repercussions, including a ban on the Philippine basketball team in international tournaments.
But bad as it may have been, I guess our players did right against disrespectful visitors from Australia.
The Aussies started it by defacing the floor of the Philippine Arena on Sunday evening and it went all the way to one of their players hitting four Gilas players during warm-ups.
There were also instances when Gilas players were being called monkeys during the game and more trash talking.
I guess the Australian players deserved what they got. If they wanted to be respected they should also respect their host. – ADRIAN CO, sports writer
I’m certain there would be heavy consequences, including but not limited to suspensions or bans. It could also have an impact on our World Cup hosting after China. Still, I’m 100 percent in support of the players of Gilas. At some point, they have to defend not just themselves but the country too, not just the names on the back of their jerseys but the PILIPINAS emblazoned on their chests as well.
Let this be a reminder to the rest of the world: we can no longer be bullied the way big countries used to do before; we will fight, and come down fighting if necessary. – NORWIN DELA CRUZ, writer and sports enthusiast
I did not like what happened. Nobody wanted it to happen. But in a team, especially a national team there is deep brotherhood. You attack one, you attack all.
I hope we learn from this unfortunate incident. Stop the blame and move on. #weareone #labanpilinas – NIELO TUPAS, Iloilo Provincial Board member
For one thing it showed they are a TEAM standing up for each other and willing to fight against racism! – LUIS BUENAFLOR, columnist
What happened was disgusting. The crowd wanted to see a basketball game, not a brawl.
On the positive side, what the Gilas players did was a sign of teamwork. Kun makita mo teammate mo nga ginakastigo sang mga pangayaw dapat mo apinan. The Australian players provoked the brawl. Sang naga-practice pa lang sila ginatira na nila ang Gilas players.
So many times the Australian players intentionally hurt the Gilas players but unfortunately the referees did not see these.
On the negative side, it really affected the national team. Perhaps those involved players would be slapped with suspensions.
The Gilas players should have controlled their anger. They are professional players and should act like one.
I salute the professionalism of Junmar Fajardo, Hasser Amer and Gabe Norwwod. They controlled their temper and did not join the brawl. –KENNETH PRINCE CABASAG, 23, mall employee
Team Gilas had reason to fight back. The Australian players started the brawl.
Indi ta mabasol ang Gilas players. Ang Australian players katikalon and they provoked the Gilas players.
Never pa na-involve sa brawl ang Gilas bisan tama ka-physical ang iban nila nga games. Pero nag abot na sa punto nga tama na gid ka-physical ang hampang sang Australians.
If the Gilas is disqualified, the Australian team should be disqualified, too.
Bilib gid ko sa kaisog sang Pinoy; sa pagkadaku sang Australians pero nagabato.
And to the referees please lantawa gid maayo ang mga fouls and warn the players quickly to avoid brawls. – LUKE GUEVARRA, Iloilo City
The disrespect, trash-talking and physical contact all reached a crescendo which could not be stopped.
Do we simply stand idle and let others who think superior do this on our own turf? The Filipinos will fight back.
The Aussies might have forgotten that we are a boxing-crazy lot, too! – VINCENT ARNUEL MANUA PALOMAR, 43, business process outsourcing worker, Jaro, Iloilo City
I don’t think it will have any affect. In other sports there are brawls, too. Basketball is a physical sport. – DADJE DELIMA, chief, municipal police station, Leganes, Iloilo
