SBP hopes PHL will not be jeopardized in hosting FIBA 2023

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said he hopes the brawl that erupted between Gilas Pilipinas and the Australian Boomers on Monday night at the Philippine Arena will not jeopardize the Philippines in hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

"Well, I hope not. Honestly this is a stand-alone incident. We've done a lot for FIBA as a federation also. We've worked very close[ly] with FIBA all these years," Panlilio said on ESPN 5 Tuesday.

"We've worked very hard to win those in 2023. I hope it does not affect that hosting and we will continue to prepare for the hosting," he continued.

However, Panlilio maintained that the tension between the teams could have been eased if a more experienced group of officials were on the court.

"We would have wanted a more experienced crew of referees calling the game," he said.

Panlilio also promised to conduct a review in order for them to improve in handling security in event venues.

"From an SBP standpoint, we will conduct a review comprehensively, and see where we can do better. We're hosting the World Cup in 2023, we have a window where we can do it better but we want to investigate it really well and do some positive actions moving forward," he said.

SBP earlier issued its apology to Filipino basketball fans and the basketball community, saying it "stands by its conviction that violence has no place in sports." — Jamil Santos/RSJ, GMA News