SBP, Basketball Australia apologize for Gilas-Boomers ‘basketbrawl’

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Basketball Australia (BA) on Thursday released a joint statement apologizing for the brawl that broke out during the FIBA Basketball World Cup matchup between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia Boomers at the Philippine Arena on Monday.

In the statement, SBP president Alfredo Panlilio and BA president Ned Coten agreed that such actions have "no place on any basketball court."

"We deeply regret the events that took place during the game. The actions displayed have no place on any basketball court," they said.

"We wish to apologize to the entire basketball community worldwide and in particular to our fantastic fans in the Philippines and Australia for the behavior displayed by both teams and for bringing the game of basketball into disrepute," they added.

Both basketball federations said they "fully accept responsibility" for the brawl and that they will investigate the incident.

"We will do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again," they said.

"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," they added.

The brawl happened at the 4:01 mark of the third quarter with Australia, 79-48, in control when Gilas Pilipinas guard Roger Pogoy and Boomers wingman Chris Goulding got tangled up on a drive.

Australia big man Daniel Kickert responded with a forearm on Pogoy, after which Gilas guard Jayson Castro hit Kickert.

All hell broke loose after that, with both teams getting in on the action.

A total of 13 players — nine from Gilas and four from Australia — got ejected. 

Only three players — June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, and Baser Amer — remained available to finish the game for Gilas.

Fajardo and Norwood committed intentional fouls to get disqualified, forcing the referees to award the game to Australia, 89-53, at the 1:57 mark of the third period. — RSJ, GMA News