Gilas Pilipinas awaits FIBA sanctions
The Philippines may have to worry more about player suspensions than the future of its the 2023 World Cup hosting if the international federation (FIBA) stays consistent with the handling of incidents such as Monday’s massive brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia.
A pair of fights in 2010 prompted FIBA to issue short-term suspensions and fine on host countries which may serve as a precedent for the world governing body by the time it hands down the punishments in the melee that occurred in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Philippine Arena.
SBP president Al Panlilio admitted his concern regarding the 2023 hosting which the country won through a bid last December as he cited a fracas between Serbia and Greece in the 2010 Acropolis International Basketball Tournament as an example as to how FIBA handles such cases.
Serbia’s Nenad Krstic, a former NBA player, was banned for three games by FIBA for his part in the 2010 fight that saw him throw a chair at one of his opponents while teammate Milos Teodosic, who now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, got a two-game suspension.
Greece’s Antonis Fotsis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis were suspended two games for their involvement. The four players from both countries were forced to miss the early part of that year’s FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
Several Gilas players could face suspension for at least one or two games for their part in the fight. Among those that may receive severe punishments are Roger Pogoy, Calvin Abueva, Andray Blatche, Carl Bryan Cruz, Matthew Wright, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Allein Maliksi and Jio Jalalon.
It is unknown if the FIBA verdict would extend to the players’ respective club teams although the PBA could mull the possibility of handing its own sanctions as league commissioner Willie Marcial has scheduled a closed-door meeting today with the players.
Gilas will face Iran, Kazakhstan and Qatar in a home-and-away format where the top three teams and possibly the fourth placer will secure spots to next year’s World Cup in China.
“Buti na lang sabi ng PBA na support sila,” said Reyes. “Hopefully they’ll give us more players in case (our players are suspended).”
Gilas meets Iran in Tehran on Sept. 13 before heading home to host Qatar on Sept. 17. The Philippines hosts Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 and Iran on Dec. 3, and then visits Qatar on Feb. 21 and Kazakhstan on Feb. 24. (With report from Waylon Galvez)