A constructive look

It does not serve us to dwell on who did what to whom in Monday’s unfortunate melee between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia. Suffice it to say that racism and violence are unacceptable in any sporting arena, and both sides have owned up to their responsibility in the matter. FIBA has rules which the referees apparently did not have the confidence (or perhaps knowledge) to enforce.

To wit:

“36.3.1. A technical foul is a player non-contact foul of a behavioral nature including, but not limited to:

• Disregarding warnings given by officials.

• Disrespectfully dealing with the officials, the commissioner, the table officials or the team bench personnel.

• Disrespectfully communicating with the officials, the commissioner, the table officials or the opponents.

• Using language or gestures likely to offend or incite the spectators.

• Baiting and taunting an opponent...

“36.3.2. A technical foul by team bench personnel is a foul for disrespectfully communicating with or touching the officials, the commissioner, the table officials or the opponents, or an infraction of a procedural or an administrative nature.

“36.3.3. A player shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game when he is charged with 2 technical fouls, or 2 unsportsmanlike fouls, or with 1 unsportsmanlike foul and 1 technical foul.”

These are for FIBA to address internally, but it is clear that the referees let things slip way out of hand.

Of course, now there is potential peril for the entire basketball community, as well. FIBA may impose punishments that impact the PBA play of the nine Gilas Pilipinas players (and coaches) involved in the fracas, though this is unlikely. Still, there is the matter of the coming Asian Games, not to mention the 2019 Southeast Asian Games to be held in the Philippines. In 2005, there was no basketball competition in the SEA Games, as a result of the tug-of-war between a calcified Basketball Association of the Philippines and a fledgling Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. A repeat of that should be avoided at all cost.

For coaches, they may learn to be more circumspect in what they say to their players. Psychological data from the post-World War II era prove that Nazi soldiers committed horrendous atrocities as an extreme way of proving that they were following Hitler’s orders, even if they went overboard. This was the foundation for studies that show subordinates overdo things to please their bosses. And we know for a fact that, in situations where spots on a roster are very limited, being unequivocally in a coach’s good graces keep you on a team. And a coach obviously is supposed to be a more effective communicator, but the players may miss the nuances of the message in the heat of the moment. 

So what can we learn from a sober review of the incident? First, venue security and preparation can be enhanced. In many venues, ringside chairs are tied together so as to avoid them being moved. Other coliseums like Araneta confiscate caps of water bottles so to render them harmless if thrown towards the court. Overseas, the general practice is to pour all drinks into plastic cups.

Game officials should also be made aware of players who have a history of bad behavior, not to single them out, but to better protect opponents in case of any escalation. Game officials, unlike teams, come from neutral countries and do not really have scouting reports on the teams playing. There is no need, since they will not see either team again for a very long time. As a rule, they are blissfully unaware of the shenanigans players pull, unlike in leagues like the NBA, where referees grow familiar with players they officiate regularly. 

For the players, they should have the confidence to inform referees of harmful behavior even before the game starts. Once you enter the court, you are under the technical officials’ supervision. If the officials are aware of intentions to hurt or insult other players, they can clamp down on that behavior. 

On a more sensitive matter, some players have the capacity to shrug off insults because they have the confidence not to succumb to mind games. You are there to win a basketball game. Keeping your head and stating in the game keep you in a position to remain competitive and win, which is your primary mission. A coach can always pull his players out of the game if he feels it is no longer safe or the players are intentionally being hurt. It is difficult, but doable. 

If FIBA can come up with more guidelines on the conduct of games, then the brawl would have produced something good. Every innovation in the game has been born from the needs of the time. From widening the lane to installing a shot clock, basketball has always improved from adversity. If handled properly, the aftermath of Monday’s incident will contribute to the betterment of the game.