PBA wary of FIBA suspension affecting Gilas players in league

The PBA on Thursday expressed wariness over possible sanctions that national team players are facing before FIBA following the brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia on Monday.

In a press conference, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league is waiting for the decision of FIBA, which has opened up disciplinary proceedings for the two squads following a bench-clearing melee that led to the ejection of nine Gilas players and four Boomers.

"Kung suspension hanggang sa FIBA, susundin namin. Kung suspension hanggang PBA, aapela kami," Marcial said, adding that the league will seek the help of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio to make the appeal.

Marcial said the PBA has already met with Gilas players to discuss the incident.

"Sinabihan namin na hintayin natin 'yung investigation ng FIBA. Nagsalita naman sila pero more on sa pinagsabihan namin na sana hindi na maulit lalo sa PBA," Marcial said.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, meanwhile, said they have yet to discuss with the PBA and the SBP the possibility of replacing Gilas players if they will be suspended for the upcoming Asian Games.

"We have to sit down again with the PBA to discuss the possibility with the SBP," Gregorio said.

He said the Indonesia Asian Games 2018 Organizing Committee (INASGOC) already made an inquiry to them and expressed its "worry."

"They are our Southeast Asian partners. I'm sure they don't want us to be left out. If we are not in the Asian Games basketball, I think malaking kawalan naman 'yun," Gregorio said.

"I would like to believe they will understand our predicament," he added.

The Asian Games 2018 will be held from August to September in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang. —JST, GMA News