Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Former Philippine national team coach Yeng Guiao slammed Daniel Kickert and the rest of the Australian team for triggering the brawl with Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers at Philippine Arena.
Guiao believes Kickert, Australia’s 6-foot-10 center, sparked the free-for-all after his elbow to the face of Gilas swingman Roger Pogoy in the third quarter.
The NLEX tactician in the PBA also expressed his displeasure over Kickert, whom he said remained unapologetic despite his potentially fatal blow on Pogoy.
“Kickert started it all and he didn’t even apologize. All he said was it’s regrettable and all he said was it was unfortunate,” Guiao told reporters after the Road Warriors’ loss to the Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
“He almost killed somebody and he did not apologize.”
Guiao also said that what Kickert, who was among the 13 players ejected which included Pogoy, did would also have caused the same result elsewhere.
“If he (Kickert) did that in any other country, he would’ve had the same result. If he did that in Japan, in Taiwan, Korea, Iran, it would also turn into a free-for-all.”
Guiao added the Aussies came to the Philippines “looking for trouble” the moment they stripped off the decals from the Philippine Arena court.
“The tone was set the day before when they were already ripping the decals without any permission. I coached the national team, I would never do that coming into any venue and you have to respect the property of other people whatever they say,” said Guiao, who coached the national team in 2008.
Guiao thinks the burst of emotion from Gilas was “natural human instinct” after seeing one of their teammates taking a hard hit, but what came after—the ganging up on Australia guard Chris Goulding and chair-throwing that hit another Aussie Nathan Sobey in the nape—was uncalled for.
“It’s more embarrassing had Gilas not react the way they did and just allowed themselves to get bullied by a foreigner here in our country,” Guiao said. “But burst of emotion, it should’ve been pacified. That’s what I can’t justify.”
Fiba has already started its probe on the incident as heavy repercussions loom over both teams.