PHILIPPINE basketball legend Ramon Fernandez was prudent in his reaction to Fiba’s decision to sanction and fine the erring players of the brawl that happened in a match early this month, but said that the Filipinos dodged a bullet with the decision.
“It’s a lucky break for them that nobody got banned,” said Fernandez, who is currently a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Philippines’ basketball governing body Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has accepted the sanctions slapped by FIBA for the Gilas Pilipinas’ involvement in a brawl with Australia in a FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in the Philippine Arena earlier this month.
“SBP accepts the Disciplinary Panel’s Decision, and extends its appreciation to the Panel for its work. The Decision is a lengthy document; the SBP is in the process of carefully reviewing it. The Executive Committee of SBP will be convened soon to determine if it will avail of the appeals procedure provided under the Decision,” the SBP wrote in an official statement.
The Philippines’ side had 13 players suspended, along with two of its coaches, Chot Reyes and Joseph Uichico.
Reyes, Gilas head coach, was slapped with a one-game suspension and a fine of about P13 million, while his assistant Uichico was suspended for three games.
This did not sit well with the camp of Australian Chris Goulding.
Goulding’s agent Daniel Moldovan expressed his disappointment in a Twitter post.
He said that Goulding, who was suspended for one game, did not deserve it and he also said that Uichico’s three-game ban was the most disturbing aspect of the ruling.
“However, the most disturbing aspect of FIBA’s ruling is the fact the Assistant Coach Jong Uichico, who in my opinion, is guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm that could have easily resulted in the death of Chris Goulding, has been given a farcical three-game suspension,” he tweeted.
Although he respects and accepts FIBA’s punishment, Reyes maintains that he didn’t instruct his players to hurt an opposing player.
“I stand with our national federation in respecting FIBA’s findings,” he said on Twitter. “I have never given instructions to hurt nor incite unsportsmanlike behavior. In my 20 years as head coach in the PBA and seven years at the helm of Gilas, I have never been involved in any such incident.”
SBP promised that it will do its best so that an incident like this won’t happen again in future hostings.
“As well, the SBP will take steps to develop contingencies for Philippines’ participation in future FIBA-sanctioned tournaments,” wrote SBP. (EKA)