‘Bruised and battered’ Boomers sorry for ‘their part’ of Philippines brawl
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Basketball Australia chief Anthony Moore says the Boomers accept responsibility for their part in a disturbing brawl in their basketball World Cup qualifier in the Philippines.
However Australia's basketball boss expressed strong concerns about the action of fans and officials which had escalated the confrontation and left Boomers players "bruised and battered".
The incident, which occurred with four minutes left in the third quarter in the match in Bulacan province, north of Manila, came when a hard foul by a Philippines player was followed by a nasty-looking elbow from Australia's Daniel Kickert.
The brawl then spilled over half the court and the area behind the hoop at one end, with punches, kicks, elbows and objects hurled at players.
"We deeply regret the incident that occurred last night and our role in it. We don't play the game in that spirit," Moore said.
"While we accept responsibility for our role in last night's incident, what we don't accept is the actions whereby fans and officials actually get involved in the fray.
"You've seen the [videos on] social media where [Boomers player] Nathan Sobey is being assaulted by a fan, we've got Chris Goulding [under] a pack of players and officials, prone on the court.
"We've also got a fan throwing a chair at one of our players.
"So we absolutely find that unacceptable, and while we'll be waiting for FIBA to provide us with their fines and sanctions, that's certainly an issue we will be addressing with FIBA."
Moore acknowledged that players on both sides had transgressed, describing Kickert's actions as "a challenge to defend" and "an unsavoury incident".
Asked about the state of the players, Moore said they were fine, but a little "bruised and battered".
"I have spoken to our team management and my chairman who is there and they are shaken up.
"All the players are shaken up and Chris [Goulding] in particular.
"There is vision of Luc Longley, our NBA legend taking a position of an Australian Wallaby and clearing a maul to get a significant number of people off him.
"That is what we were dealing with. Chris certainly is shaken up."
Maker says he acted to protect teammates
Australian NBA player Thon Maker was seen leaping knee-first into an opponent during the fracas.
Maker, who along with fellow Milwaukee Bucks player Matthew Dellavedova, had come home from the US to play in the match, posted a statement on Twitter following the brawl.
"Being from a war-torn country, basketball for me has always been a means to bring people together," he said.
"I feel a great responsibility as an NBA player to carry myself in a way that promotes peace and unity.
"My hope is that this experience provides a springboard for discussion regarding the security surrounding these games.
"I take responsibility for my actions, knowing that they were a result of MY DESIRE to protect my teammates and myself."
No comment on possible sanctions
Moore refused to talk about possible sanctions, saying that the incident was "new territory" and that FIBA would have to organise a tribunal to investigate what had gone on before making a decision.
Following the brawl, play was stopped for more than half an hour, as officials tried to get everyone to calm down while they investigated the incident.
A group of Philippines players posed on court for a selfie photo while they waited for the decision.
"I thought it was pretty odd to be in a position where you have been in a major altercation and then seemingly enjoying the moment. I found that very strange," Moore said.
Eventually officials announced 13 players were to be ejected — four Australians and nine from the Philippines.
The game then continued, with Australia's starting five facing the three remaining Filipino team players. The home side fouled themselves out until only one player remained, triggering the game's abandonment.
"I found it extraordinary that in those circumstances, in a tinderbox environment like that, that the game continued with three players," Moore said.
Filipino coach Chot Reyes alleged after the match that Australian players had been hitting opposition players during the warm-up.
"We absolutely [deny] that," Moore said.
The BA chief acknowledged however that Australian team management had ripped up decals at their training space after players had fallen heavily, tripping over the signs.
"We ripped up the decals. That was not the smartest move that we made."
Moore described the incident as a setback for Australian basketball.
"It's a pretty dark day," he said. "Reputationally we have taken a hit."
The Australians have made it through the first section of World Cup qualification, but they will next face Kazakhstan, Qatar, Iraq and Iran, although the Boomers will not face Iraq in Iraq for security reasons.
Those games will have to be played between November and February 2019.
Moore said the Australians would have to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and consular officials to sort out security arrangements for those games.
"Last night's incident certainly elevates our awareness to security and what we actually need around to protect our players."
Moore also said that the Boomers would need assurances from FIBA and others before returning to play in the Philippines following the incident.
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