JUNE Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, Jong Uichico, and Nick Kay will be the only remnants from the Gilas Pilipinas team that played Australia last July 2, 2018 in a FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifier marred by a massive brawl.
Gilas will be up against Australia in its home court for the first time since that match at the Philippine Arena was abandoned due to a brawl that also spilled onto the stands.
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Eight years after the incident, four persons are back, with one of them being Fajardo, who was one of the three players that remained for Gilas after that free for all as nine other players were ejected for their involvement in the brawl.
Fajardo later fouled out along with Gabe Norwood, leaving only Baser Amer to finish the contest.
Rosario was one of those who were ejected after leaving the bench to join the scuffle that ensued. He, however, is only part of the pool and on whether he will be part of the Final 12 for the Australia game remains to be seen.
Fines and suspensions were meted by FIBA because of the incident and one of those punished was Uichico, who currently remains a Gilas deputy under head coach Tim Cone.
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Uichico was handed a two-game suspension in the fracas as he was caught getting involved in the incident. The usually mild-mannered Uichico later apologized for his action.
The lone Australia player that is back for the game is Kay, who currently plays for the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japan B.League.
A two-time NBL champion, and a Rookie of the Year in 2016, Kay was only 25 years old when the incident occurred. He played nine minutes and 48 seconds in the controversial game and scored seven points.
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