(Eagle News) — Gilas Pilipinas Coach Chot Reyes on Friday, July 20, said he “stands with” the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in respecting Fiba’s findings of its probe into the Philippines-Australia brawl on July 2.
But in the same statement posted in a social media account, Reyes also denied he ever gave instructions to hurt or incite unsportsmanlike behavior.
“And in my 20 years as head coach in the PBA and 7 years at the helm of Gilas, I have never been involved in any such incident,” he said.
He again expressed “regret” for what happened, and apologized on behalf of his players and staff.
“As we work to put all this behind us, we reiterate our commitment to serve our flag. Laban. Pilipinas. Puso!” he said.
Australian Boomers assistant coach Luc Longley blamed Reyes for the brawl during the World Cup qualifier, saying he had incited them to act violently.
For this, he pointed at television footage that showed Reyes telling his players during a huddle to “hit somebody” and “put someone on his a**.”
But Reyes clarified he only meant for them to not “give a layup, foul early, hit somebody, put him down so that the referees will call a foul.”
Fiba suspended Reyes for one game, and ordered him to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (P535,000) over the incident.
Ten Gilas players and three Boomers were also suspended, and the basketball federations of both countries fined.