AUSTRALIA was appreciative of the warm welcome extended to the team by Filipino basketball fans during the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
John Peter Rillie, tasked to handle the Boomers in the first three windows of the opening round of the qualifiers, acknowledged the warm hospitality extended to them by the host country, which effectively put a closure to the harrowing brawl that marred the game the last time Australia and the Philippines shared the same basketball court here.
READ: Australia peppers Gilas with second-half treys in 27-point win
“It was a terrific atmosphere like there was a good FIBA regional game,” said the 54-year-old Rillie shortly after the Boomers sank Gilas Pilipinas to its second straight loss, 93-67, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Thank you to the Manila community for coming out and supporting the game the way we did.”
Of course, the 2018 scuffle during the World Cup 2019 qualifiers at the Philippine Arena was among the worst fight-marred game in FIBA history.
A total of 13 players including nine from Gilas Pilipinas, were ejected in the aftermath of the bench-clearing incident witnessed by millions of basketball fans around the world during the tensed match which Australia won by default, 89-53.
Eight years after, both teams already buried the hatchet and played in a highly-spirited game which the Boomers dominated right from the get-go.
From the incident, only four personnel were present in the first meeting between Australia and the Philippines in the country, namely June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, deputy coach Jong Uichico, and Nick Kay.
Only Fajardo and Kay remained in the current lineup, with Rosario a member of the Gilas training pool.
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo played for only four minutes and finished with two points and a rebound, while the 6-foot-9 Kay was part of the Boomers’ starting unit and contributed eight points – on 4-of-9 shooting – eight rebounds, and an assist.
Other than the constant jeering from the full-house MoA Arena crowd, there was nothing but respect from both teams.
The Boomers even received a warm ovation from the Filipino fans just shortly after the final buzzer sounded.
“Thanks for the hospitality. It’s a great atmosphere and all the guys enjoyed it. It was really fun to play in,” said guard Elijah Pepper, who topscored for the visiting team with 28 points including five three pointers.
“Thank you for the hospitality that we received here in the Philippines. It’s been a terrific couple of days for our group,” Rillie said of the reception the Boomers received from the Filipinos.
“And I’m happy my team play well as we did.”
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