Sonny Angara says Australia-PHL brawl unfortunate, but stands by Gilas Pilipinas

Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara on Tuesday described as unfortunate the brawl that marred the game between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia Boomers during during a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier Monday night.

But Angara, who chairs the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said he stands by the Filipino players amid the clash.

“It was  an unfortunate event but I stand by the Gilas team on this. One  may criticize how the game ended, but the true test of a fan is to stick with his team win or lose, through thick and thin,” he said in a press statement.

He added that it was unfortunate that things got out of hand but it could have been prevented if  the referees had tightened officiating  to better  control the game.

“In the heat of the moment, the players on both sides had to stand up for each other.  It is not only  a universal human reaction in a team sport, but for those who have played the game, looking after each other is part of the brotherhood among team members,” said Angara.

In the third quarter of the game, Gilas Pilipinas’ 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.

Nine Gilas Pilipinas players and four Boomers were thrown out of the game which Australia won by default, 89-53.

Despite this, the senator said that those involved should be punished and apologies should be extended in order for both parties to learn their lessons and prevent a similar incident from happening again.

“Let me make this crystal clear: sanctions must be meted out, apologies extended as true sportsmen would, nonplayers who joined the melee should be punished, and above all, lessons learned so that this should not happen again,” he said.

Angara also said that it was an isolated incident and Filipinos remain to be the most hospitable people.

“We would like to reassure the world that is an isolated  event and Filipinos remain the most hospitable race ,  in and out of the court, as millions of visitors who visit us annually would attest,” he said.

“As  a team and as a nation, let us  move on from this incident, and focus on the national project of  hosting the best  FIBA Word Cup ever, in 2023,” he added. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News