Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Another “Basketbrawl”: Gilas-Australia



Last night’s “basketbrawl” between Gilas Pilipinas and the visiting Australians in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers' game at Philippine Arena was not actually the first in the history of the Philippines’ involvement in such a melee in an international competition or against foreign players.

Just like what happened last night, there was also a game known after a heated physical game erupted into a tangled mess of men punching, kicking, and Jeff Horn-ing and Manny Pacquiao-ing each other with flying kicks and elbows in the sidings. The was a match 1998 Philippine Centennial team against the NCA Division I team, the Minnesota Gophers. The game was televised only on the local ESPN channel in Minnesota. Be reminded that in 1998, the Philippines celebrated the 100th year of its independence, therefore, they are called the Philippine Centennial team. Patriotic Katipuneros are they?

But we are not only hotheads against foreign opponents. In 1988, the ugliest “basketbrawl” in the PBA happened. It was during the Game 4 of the battle for third place between Añejo (Ginebra) and Presto. It was too a bench-clearing incident also in the 3rd quarter. Though it was the Añejo explosive imports Joe Ward and Tommy Davis who started it. Yes, having two imports in a certain conference is allowed for each team then.

In last night’s brawl here’s the Rappler’s story: “Punches were thrown and kicks were landed in a game that had Australia having its way over the Philippines with a 31-point lead, 79-48, with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. With the game already seething of intensity as the Filipinos were seeking to mount a comeback, Gilas' RR Pogoy shoved Christopher Goulding to the ground before he was decked by Australia's Daniel Kickert.
That did not end there as a flying Jayson Castro landed a punch on Kickert. It turned into a free-for-all with Thon Maker unleashing flying kicks. Andray Blatche, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Carl Bryan Cruz, Matthew Wright were seen in the replay landing punches against their Australian counterparts. … On a different replay, Allein Maliksi, who was part of the Gilas pool but did not suit up for the Australia game, was seen unloading continuous blows to Goulding at the back of Gilas' basket.” Suddenly, the world renown Filipino hospitality landed in the dustbin! 

In the 1998 game, here’s an eyewitness exaggerated account: “Andy Seigle desperately aching to have a face touch his erratic elbow. "The Captain", Alvin Patrimonio, perhaps in his angriest self, going apeshit by pounding at least 4 solid punches to a hapless Gopher.  Jun Limpot, after getting whacked at the back of his head by No. 10, searching for a vacant chair he could use to send someone to afterlife. The referee crawling out as if he's just been rescued from a rubble. Kenneth Duremdes testing the sole of his shoe if it would produce a squeaking sound if planted on a human head.” Whew!

The 1998 incident was just an invitational exhibition match while the game last night was part of a regular competition. The FIBA Media said that the body will open its disciplinary proceedings against both teams and the decision will be announced soon. The story will not end here, I am sure.

 And “basketbrawl” is here to stay… 

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Photo: ABS-CBN News






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