(Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, July 3, described as “unfortunate” the brawl that ensued between Gilas Pilipinas and Australian players during a World Cup qualifier on Monday, July 2.
According to Roque, while the Palace does “not justify” the conduct of some, “what we’re saying is that we empathize somehow with the feelings of our fellow Filipinos.”
It was a “truly regretful incident,” he said when asked if the Palace was apologetic over what happened.
The brawl ensued in the third quarter, after Australian Daniel Kickert, apparently irked over RR Pogoy’s foul against Australia’s Daniel Goulding, elbowed Pogoy in the face.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said that wasn’t a first from Kickert: Even during the warm-ups, he said the Australian player already “hit” Pogoy and several of his other players: Matthew Wright, Carl Bryan Cruz and Calvin Abueva.
“…The foul of Pogoy was a basketball play, but he was the one who came in and decked Pogoy for the fifth time. You can’t expect to do that to a team five times and not expect (them) to retaliate. So that’s what happened,” Reyes said.
Nine Gilas Pilipinas players and four Boomers were ejected after the brawl, but referees decided to push through with the game.
Australia won by default, 89-53.
According to Roque, Gilas players, “as true sportsmen, will honor whatever the decision of FIBA will be, graciously.”
He also called for “better referees who will actually intervene when there’s a foul move made by one of the players.”
” I know it was a fast-paced game but the whistle should have been blown, and the game should have been stopped, from the very first instance that there was a foul committed,” he said.
To the Gilas critics, Reyes had this to say: “You have to be there to know what really went down.”