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    Fajardo's admirable MVP poise amid the turmoil

    Columnist Homer Sayson all praises as JMF shows MVP poise amid the turmoil
    Jul 8, 2018
    spin zone

    CHICAGO - Violence remains the prevailing narrative of the all-out brawl that lowlighted the Fiba World Cup qualifier between the Philippines and Australia last July 2 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

    The headlines were sexy and easy to sell.

    Flying kicks by a beanpole whose name sounds like a Marvel super hero, Thon Maker. Murderous punches from both sides. And a hurled chair.

    While several Gilas Pilipinas players miscarried their emotions, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood and Baser Amer kept their patience to full-term and refused to participate in the non-sense.

    And for that, these guys deserve our utmost praise.

    I am not condemning the Gilas players who chose to fight. I understand that their pride and manhood had to be defended. When another man casts a stone upon you, sometimes, you throw a boulder back. The only way to stop a bully is to push him back.

    But given what's at stake here - a stain to our name as hospitable hosts, a fractured relationship with Fiba along with possible severe penalties - restraint would have been nice. If Fajardo, who was in the middle of the court when things got dicey, was somehow able to ignore it, why couldn't the others do the same?

    The courage to hold back would have been the bravest deed here. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led India's independence movement through non-violent means, had this to say to his British captors: "You can break my bones, torture my body or even kill me. But you will never carry my obedience."

    The Australians, with their pointed elbows and rugged play, were asking for a fight. And by giving it to them, our national team now walks on pins and needles wondering what harsh consequences await, putting not only this year's Fiba campaign in peril but perhaps our upcoming 2023 hosting as well.

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      But then again, these Gilas players are kids and it's par for the course for them to allow the outburst of their collective anger to surpass the propriety that was demanded by the escalating situation.

      However, Gilas assistant coach Jong Uichico is no kid. He is an accomplished, well-respected, 55-year old man who mentored countless players and consider him a role model. What was he doing attacking an Aussie player?

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      In my eyes, Uichico's mishandling of his frustrations does not diminish him. He was, I guess, defending his players and there is something noble about that. But next time, coach, leave the boxing to Senator Pacquiao, you are too important to Gilas and we cannot afford to lose you on suspension.

      I have no problem with Chot Reyes' order "to hit somebody" but when that mandate is issued at a time when the game is beyond reach it is also easy to understand why the Aussies see malice in it.

      Sure, Reyes must have been mad, Who wouldn't? His team was being abused like a stepchild in its home court.

      But to suggest that Reyes is mischievous is portraying him wrongly. The fire of competition runs through Chot's veins. He wants to win so bad it hurts, but he will never resort to violence and intimidation.

      Meanwhile, Andrew Bogut took offense on the Marc Pingris-initiated groufie, calling it "gangsta."

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      Get over it, mate. It's a damn picture, for crying out loud. And we all do it, usually on a whim and mostly for the flimsiest of reasons.

      The moral of the story here is that Australians are not patsies when it comes to fighting.

      Jeff Horn showed the world that he can punch like a mule when he upset Manny Pacquiao on July 2017, while Holly Holm sure did kick like a kangaroo when she ended Ronda Rousey's unbeaten streak at UFC 193 last November 14, 2015 in front of 56,214 fans in Melbourne.

      So next time Gilas players, if you ever come across those wrathful Aussies again, do not listen to Kenny Rogers and "fight to be a man." Just do what Usain Bolt does .

      Run.

      Not because you're scared.

      Run because it's not worth the trouble.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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