THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Basketball Australia (BA) reiterated their apologies for the recent brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia, as both federations are now cooperating in the investigation of the issue.
SBP president Al Panlilio and BA president Ned Coten on Thursday issued a joint statement in which they are apologizing to the entire basketball community in the whole world for the incident that brought the game into “disrepute.”
The SBP and BA also said they are now working together in the investigation of the brawl that began when Australia’s Daniel Kickert hit Roger Ray Pogoy with a forearm to the head.
Fiba is now investigating the matter, and is expected to impose disciplinary actions on the players and perhaps even to both federations.
“We wish to apologize to the entire basketball community worldwide – an in particular to our fantastic fans in the Philippines and Australia – for the behavior displayed for bringing the game of basketball into disrepute.”
“We fully accept our responsibility and are collaborating in the ongoing proceedings to investigate the incidents,” said the SBP and BA.
The SBP and BA also assured they will do everything to prevent a repeat of the incident.
“Basketball has a unique power to unite and we look forward to continuing bringing people together in the true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship in future games,” said the SBP and BA.
The entire statement below:
Following the incident that occurred during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers game between our senior men's national teams on Monday, July 2, we wish to issue the following statement:
We deepy regret the events that took place during the game. The actions displayed have no place on any basketball court.
We wish to apologize to the entire baketball community worldwide - and in particular to our fantastic fans in the Philippines and Australia - for the behavior displayed by both teams and for bringing the game of basketball into disrepute.
We fully accept our responsibility and are collaborating in the ongoing proceedings to investigae the incidents.
We will do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again.
Basketball has a unique power to unite and we look forward to continuing bringing people together in the true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship in future games.
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