Australia, magsasampa ng reklamo laban sa Gilas sa Fiba; Hosting ng ‘Pinas sa World Championship, apektado?

MULA sa ‘Laban Puso’ na sigaw, tila talong Pusoy ang kalalabasan ng Gilas Pilipinas matapos mauwi sa rambulan ang laro ng Team Philippines laban sa Australia sa FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifier nitong Lunes sa Philippine Arena sa Bulacan.

Sa officials website na FIBA.com, ipinahayag ng international basketball body ang agarang imbestigasyon sa naganap na kaguluhan na nagresulta sa pagkakapatalsik sa siyam na players ng Gilas at apat na miyembro ng Boomers, kabilang ang NBA player na si Thon Makers.

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“As a result, the Philippines lost the game by default according to Article 21 of the Official Basketball Rules. The game score shall stand as at the time the game stopped (53-89) because Australia was ahead in the score. Per the same rule, Australia will receive 2 points in the classification and the Philippines will still receive 1 point (as is the case when a team loses a game),” ayon sa ulat ng Fiba.

“Following that particular incident, FIBA will now open disciplinary proceedings against both teams. The decision(s) will be communicated in the coming days,” anila.

Sa isinagawang media conference sa Australia, ipinahayag naman ni Basketball Australia CEO Anthony Moore ang paghingi ng paumanhin sa naganap na kaguluhan, ngunit dismayado siya sa pagkakasangkot ng ilang opisyal ng Philippine Team gayundin ang mga tagahanga na nakisali sa panununtok at pambabato sa mga Boomers.

Sumiklab ang kaguluhan nang hindi agad naaksyunan ng referee ang paniniko ni Australian big man Daniel Kickert kay RR Pogoy may 4:01 ang nalalabi sa third period at lamang ang Australia, 79-48.

“We deeply regret the incident that occurred last night and our role in it,” pahayag ni Moore. “It is something that, we don’t play that game in that spirit. Our game against Japan on Friday was a thrilling match, one-point loss. But it was played in an incredible spirit and conduct by both teams. Last night’s game was anything but.”

“What we don’t accept is the action in which fans and officials actually get involved. You’ve seen on social media some of our players being assaulted by a fan and we got Chris Goulding, one of our players, on a pack of players and officials prying on the court.”

“We also got a fan throwing a chair on our players. We find that unacceptable,” said Moore.

Ayon kay Moore ang naturang kaganapan ang gagamitin nilang ebidensya sa pagharap sa Fiba sa sandaling tawagin ang kanilang presensiya para sa imbestigasyon ng pangyayari.

“It was alarming. It was absolutely alarming when you see a congregation of players at the end of the court and saying, ‘Is one of our players actually under it?’ I watched it on TV so it was absolutely alarming to think that one of our players are surrounded by about 20 people with a significant amount of physical altercations occurring,” sambit ni Moore.

“We are waiting for Fiba for their findings and sanctions. That is certainly the issue that we will be addressing with Fiba,” aniya.

“I can’t speculate on what the sanctions will be because we’re actually in new territory in this regard. We want to work with Fiba on the tribunal and get that outcome and we’ll assess our outcomes from there.We have briefed our lawyers on that, as you would expect us to do.”

Iginiit din ni Moore na kinailangan pang makipag-ugnayan sa Australian embassy para sa seguridad ng Australian team para kaagad na maibalik sa hotel ang mga players.

“I can’t overstate this, the issue of our players safety. We had our players, team managers, and coaches fearing for their physical well-being. It is really a compelling set of circumstance that, Are we going to be out of here unscathed,” aniya.

“Again, working with consular officials to get us out of there, get us on the bus, and get us on the team hotel. There was a heightened sense of anxiety…,” sambit ni Moore.

Sa hiwalay na pahayag, humingi rin ng paumanhin si Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio at iginiit na ang kabiguan ng referee na ayusin ang gusot ang naging dahilan ng rambulan.