SBP President Al Panlilio. Photo by Bong Lozada
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is expecting the worst as it awaits the decision from Fiba in the aftermath of the brawl between the Philippines and Australia in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers last Monday.
Panlilio said the governing body will submit the Philippines’ statement on the incident to Fiba July 10.
“We’re hoping that our position can be heard when we submit it, and hopefully the sanctions are not very heavy Again, expect the worst that there will be sanctions,” said Panlilio during the meeting at the PBA office on Thursday.
Panlilio met with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Patrick Gregorio and Gilas players to discuss the repercussions of the melee and how the possible sanctions could extend to the PBA.
“We actually don’t know yet that there will be sanctions, so there can be none, or there can be,” said Panlilio.
Gilas and the Boomers got into a free-for-all in the third quarter of the match that saw a total of 13 players get ejected, four from Australia and nine from the Philippines.
Australia won the game by default 89-53 with 1:57 left in the third quarter.