It could’ve been worse

FIBA came down hard on the Philippines for failing to provide crowd control and for the participation of players and team officials in the free-for-all that marred Gilas’ game against Australia before 22,181 fans at the Philippine Arena last July 2. The outcome determined which of the two countries would take pole position in Group B of the FIBA Asia/Pacific qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup after three qualifying home-and-away windows.

As it turned out, Australia got the win via an 89-53 decision with the contest called off, time down to 1:57 of the third quarter as the Philippines was down to a single player with nine ejections and two players fouled out, leaving only Baser Amer the last man standing.

Both the SBP and Basketball Australia issued separate statements apologizing for the brawl. They also released a joint statement in which the governing bodies said they “will do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again.” “Basketball has a unique power to unite and we look forward to continuing bringing people together in the true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship in future games,” said SBP president Al Panlilio and Basketball Australia president Ned Coten.

FIBA exercised due process before announcing the sanctions stemming from the incident. Panlilio said the SBP submitted an incident report to FIBA, detailing what transpired in the melee. Coten presumably sent Basketball Australia’s version. After FIBA disclosed the sanctions, it gave both organizations 14 days within which to respond or make an appeal.

Comparing the severity of the sanctions on the Philippines and Australia is a waste of time. FIBA sanctioned 10 Gilas players and two coaches but only three players from Australia. But let’s not quibble on which country deserves the harsher penalties. Clearly, both sides deserve censure. Australia created a volcanic atmosphere by taunting and roughhousing but that couldn’t justify the violent retaliation by Gilas. Australia’s Daniel Kickert lit the fuse that exploded the powder keg with his brazen attack on R. R. Pogoy during a deadball situation. Still, the reaction of several Gilas players to wring Kickert’s neck was a shocker. And when the fans joined in the fray, it was total chaos, an indictment on the inability of the host nation to secure the hardcourt.  

Panlilio said the SBP would seek clarification from FIBA on certain observations. For instance, FIBA slapped the harshest sanction on Calvin Abueva as a repeat offender because of a previous headbutting incident at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup. Abueva was given a six-game suspension, knocking him out completely from playing in the next three qualifying windows where Gilas is scheduled to play six contests. Panlilio said FIBA could’ve thrown the book on Abueva for initiating the warm-up bumps before the July 2 game. “But Calvin didn’t start it,” noted Panlilio.

FIBA appeared too harsh in sanctioning Gilas head coach Chot Reyes who was suspended one game and fined the equivalent of P535,000. He was overheard in a timeout ordering the players to “hit” the Boomers hard when in transition and FIBA interpreted it to mean inciting unsportsmanlike behavior. Reyes said taking down players by force was farthest from his mind and explained that his instructions should be taken figuratively, not literally. Perhaps, FIBA took Reyes to task because as head coach, he was accountable for keeping his players on the bench. Jio Jalalon didn’t play in the game but was shown in a video landing a punch on an Aussie player, leading to his suspension. 

The SBP itself was fined the equivalent of P13.37 Million.  The three referees didn’t escape sanction and were suspended for a year. Panlilio said it could’ve been worse. FIBA could’ve suspended the Gilas players from seeing action in the PBA and the Asian Games and stripped the Philippines of the right to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup. It didn’t. 

The positive thing about the sanctions is it has prompted the entire Philippine basketball community to close ranks.  The SBP and PBA are now coordinating on how to build a competitive pool for the next six qualifying games and whom to choose as an interim head coach while Reyes is suspended for the Sept. 13 game against Iran on the road. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the pro league is making available any eligible player for Gilas. Marcial said the Governors are supportive of Gilas’ efforts and only the players themselves may reject the call if ever they’re drafted. Aside from the 10 sanctioned players, let’s remember that Kiefer Ravena is also suspended up to Aug. 24 next year.  So the pool has been drastically depleted. The challenge is for new players to step up and prove their loyalty to the country and the sport they love.