A year ago, Gilas and Australia figured in a brawl
INQUIRER PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—It’s been a year since the infamous brawl between the Philippines and Australia broke out in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The ugly fight, which made headlines around the world, saw 13 players and two Gilas Pilipinas coaches in Jong Uichico and Chot Reyes slapped with suspensions.
A total of 10 Gilas players in Calvin Abueva, Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz, Jio Jalalon, Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright were suspended.
Three Aussies in Daniel Kickert, Thon Maker and Chris Goulding were given suspensions.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas also had to pay a whopping CHF 250,000 (P13,373,002) disciplinary fine for “the unsportsmanlike behavior of its delegation members and of its public, as well as for insufficient organization of the game.
Both squads went on to qualify for the 2019 Fiba World Cup.
The Philippines was slotted in Group D with Angola, Italy and Serbia while Australia is in Group H with Canada, Senegal and Lithuania.
On This Date: A year ago, a BRAWL broke out between the Philippines and Australia teams in a FIBA World Cup qualifier pic.twitter.com/ycQY0g1vLI
— ESPN (@espn) July 2, 2019
