MANILA -- Both Basketball Australia and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) issued apologies for the free-for-all that took place during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers match at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday night.
The visiting side, through chief executive Anthony Moore, was the first to issue a statement late Monday night, saying, "Basketball Australia deeply regrets the incident in [last night’s] match between the Boomers and the Philippines in [Bocaue]. We are extremely disappointed with what happened and our role in it. This is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball."
Then on Tuesday, SBP president Al Panlilio made his own statement, saying, "As hosts, we regret having breached the bounds of traditional Filipino hospitality. As the national team representing flag and country, we extend apologies to the Filipino people."
He then reiterated, "SBP stands by its conviction that violence has no place in sports."
Both parties later said that they will wait for the sanctions that FIBA will impose on them following an ongoing investigation of the incident.
Meanwhile, former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Chairman Mikee Romero believes that the brawl that took place between Gilas and Australia on Monday night was uncalled for even if the Filipinos got bullied by the foreigners.
"Hindi natin maipagmamalaki ang nangyari (we cannot be proud of the incident)," the current vice chairman of the Congressional Committee on Youth and Sports Development, said in a statement. "I have been in these situations before. Many countries try to bully each other during international games. Whoever blinks first loses his pride and dignity for the rest of his basketball life."
He also believes that Filipinos need "some soul-searching" after what transpired.
"SBP officials must have a heart-to-heart talk with the Gilas Team," he added.
Romero, currently a part of the national polo team, then assured his support for the national athletes, saying, "I will always stand behind our players." (PNA)
