THE International Basketball Federation (FIBA) meted punishments that bordered on the harsh to disciplinary on Filipino and Australian players and coaches who figured in an ugly brawl in the World Cup Asia Qualifier last July 2 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
But the bulk of penalties fell on members of Gilas Pilipinas—including head coach Chot Reyes and Assistant Coach Jong Uichico—who were deemed by the FIBA to have initiated the brawl.
Found guilty of inciting unsportsmanlike behavior were Calvin Abueva (six games); Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz and Jio Jalalon (five games each); Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, Andray Blatche and Troy Rosario (three games each); and Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright (one game each).
Reyes was fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (P535,000) for his unsportsmanlike behavior during the match, while Uichico was suspended for three games for joining the brawl.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, on the other hand, will pay a staggering 250,000 Swiss Francs (P13 million) for “unsportsmanlike behavior of its delegation members and of its public, as well as for insufficient organization of the game.”
The FIBA also ordered that the next game for the Philippines will be played behind closed doors and two more home games have been placed on a ban under a probationary period of three years.
The Philippines will play an away game against Iran on September 13 and a restricted home game against Qatar on September 17.
SBP President Al Panlilio told a press conference on Thursday at the PLDT Headquarters in Makati City that the fines and suspensions “are a lesson not only for the country, but for the sport as a whole.”
“We will still play hard but not violently. We have to limit ourselves on what is allowed and not allowed,” Panlilio said.
“We expected heavy sanctions like a total ban on the federation. But these sanctions are still quite heavy, and it could have been worse,” he added.
Suspended on the Boomers side were Daniel Kickert (five games), Thon Maker (three games) and Chris Goulding (one game).
Basketball Australia was also asked to pay a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs (P5.3 million).
All fines will be donated to International Basketball Foundation’s “Basketball for Good” social program.
The referees in the game were also removed from the Fiba Elite Program and are banned from any Fiba-sanctioned tournaments for one year.
The punishments, however, are not applicable to professional leagues like the Philippine Basketball Association or Australia’s National Basketball League.
The SBP has 14 days to make an appeal with Panlilio saying that they will assess the 13-page decision and “take necessary actions or seek clarifications if needed.”
Basketball Australia chief executive Anthony Moore said it was unlikely they would appeal the bans.
“As we stated at the outset, Basketball Australia sincerely regrets the incident,” Moore said.
“We acknowledge the sanctions handed down against Australian players and acknowledge the sanctions imposed against Philippines players and officials involved in the incident. We are seeking further clarification from FIBA about possible sanctions against other officials and fans involved in the incident.”
Image credits: Roy Domingo