Chot Reyes answers Luc Longley: If he doesn't understand basketball talk, that's his problem

Philippine national basketball coach Chot Reyes has responded to allegations of Australian assistant coach Luc Longley that he incited his players to act violently before a brawl between that two teams marred their FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifier on Monday.

Longley had placed the blame on Reyes for the bench-clearing melee that ended up in nine Gilas Pilipinas players and four Boomers getting thrown out of the playing court. The incident made worldwide headlines and has prompted FIBA to open up disciplinary proceedings against the teams.

"I've never seen anything like that, not even on YouTube. I do believe that their coach Chot Reyes incited them to come out and thug us," said Longley, who won three NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan at the Chicago Bulls.

Reyes, however, shrugged off Longley's comments, echoing his earlier explanation that he only gave instructions to his team to foul early so Australia could not get out on fastbreaks.

"He can say what he wants. If he doesn't understand basketball talk that's his problem. When we say pick and roll we're not asking a player to roll on the floor. 'Box-out' is not an order to punch. 'Drive & kick' is not an order to kick someone," the Gilas Pilipinas coach said in a statement to GMA News' Mav Gonzales.

"The whole statement was 'don't give up transition points. Foul early. Hit someone. Put him on his ass'. My Former Players like Larry Fonacier & Rudy Hatfield have said it was simply a call to play tough & not back down. I categorically deny instructing any of my players to hurt or fight anyone," he added.

During the game at Philippine Arena, Australia led 79-48 when Gilas guard Roger Pogoy and Boomers wingman Chris Goulding got tangled up on a drive.

Daniel Kickert responded with an elbow on Pogoy, then Jayson Castro hit Kickert. All hell broke loose after.

"He talks about thuggery - what do you call a 6'10 guy (Kickert) elbowing a 6'2 guy (Pogoy) from behind on a deadball situation? 'Overstepping a little bit?'" said Reyes.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), as well Gilas Pilipinas players, has formally apologized over the matter.

SBP has also issued a joint statement with Basketball Australia on Thursday. —Jamil Santos/JST, GMA News