MAGING ang Malacanang ay nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya sa kinasangkutang rambulan ng Gilas Pilipinas at Australia Boomers sa Asian qualifying ng Fiba World Cup.

Sa ginanapa na press briefing, sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque na hindi katanggap-tangap ang ipinakita ng mga players, higit ang mga miyembro ng host team at inaasahan niyang maluwag sa dibdib nilang tatanggapin anuman ang parusang matatanggap mula sa Fiba.

“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 that we have to be sorry about because it should never have happened,” pahayag ni Roque.

“We emphatize somehow with the feelings of our fellow Filipinos which is not to justify their conduct,” aniya.

'Pikon daw?' UAAP fan na nag-dirty finger, agaw-eksena sa San Juan Arena!

I g i n i i t n i R o q u e n a m a y pagkukulang sa mga referee nang mabigo ang mag ito na itigil ang laro nang magkapikunan na sina RR Pogoy at Australian bigman na si Kickert.

“There should have been a foul shot instead but it continued. I don’t know why it was allowed to continue,” aniya.

“We do not justify the conduct of our Filipino players. All we are saying. it was a regretful incident and it should not happen.”

Ayon kay Roque, ang insidente ang pinakabayolenteng laro na napanood niya sa Philippine sports.

Hindi naman tahasang sinabi ni Roque na magpapaabot ng paumanhin ang Pamahalaan sa Australia.

“Well, it should never have happened. That’s why it’s call sports but at the time we’re saying we empathize they have to act as a team which will not justify their conduct.”

“I hope our players, as true sportsmen, will honor whatever the decision FiBA will be graciously,” aniya.