Palace: Gilas brawl with Australia ‘height of unsportsmanlike’ behavior

Malacañang on Tuesday described as "unfortunate" and "height of unsportsmanlike behavior" Monday night's brawl that marred the game between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia during a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

At a news conference, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the melee should have not happened.

"We found the whole incident unfortunate. It was of course the height of being unsportsmanlike, but at the same time we appreciate, that it’s something to be sorry about, because it should not have happened," Roque said.

"But all we’re saying is that we empathize somehow with the feelings of our fellow Filipinos, which is not to justify their conduct."

Asked if the Palace was apologetic over the incident, Roque said it was "a truly regretful incident."

"And in the 52 years that I’ve spent in this existence, that’s the worst I’ve seen at least in the Philippines. We see that in other countries, but really not in the Philippines," he said.

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

Australian 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.

Nine Gilas Pilipinas players and four Boomers were thrown out of the game after the bench-clearing brawl.

Australia won the match by default, 89-53, with 1:57 left in the third period.

"What should have happened was as soon as Mr. Kickert did that foul elbow, then the game should have stopped, and there should have been a decision declaring him to have committed a foul up and there should have been a foul shot instead, but it continued," Roque said.  

FIBA has since opened disciplinary proceedings in relation to the brawl with the world basketball governing body expected to release its decision in the coming days.

Roque hoped that Gilas players, "as true sportsmen, will honor whatever the decision of FIBA will be, graciously."

"I think they have apologized. I’ve seen some apologies in the news earlier. The team coach has apologized, some members have apologized I don’t know if all of them have, but in any case I’m sure FIBA will mete out the sanctions," he said.

Roque also called for "better referees" in the future. 

"Have better referees who will actually intervene when there’s a foul move made by one of the players. I know it was a fast-paced game but the whistle should have been blown, and the game should have been stopped, from the very first instance that there was a foul committed," he said. — RSJ, GMA News