Australia’s Kickert: I overstepped

Embattled Aussie player Daniel Kickert — who many Filipinos see as the instigator of the brawl that marred Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying game against Australia on Monday night — finally broke his silence.

Speaking to the press in an ESPN video, the 35-yearold Melbourne native said that he made a regrettable action.

“I was pretty in a position I think where, obviously, I made an action which is regrettable and unfortunate,” he said.

“It was a good trip for the boys, and it would have been a good win. It ended poorly with a controversial issue. I think I’ve overstepped a little bit with my response to the escalation in the game,” Kickert, who was joined by coach Andrej Lemanis and deputy Luc Longley, added. The Boomer’s extra motion — an elbow to the jaw of Gilas’ Roger Pogoy — was a reaction following a clash between the Pinoy athlete and Aussie teammate Chris Goulding at the latter part of the third period.

The gesture did not sit well with Gilas players Andray Blatche and Jayson Castro who charged onto Kickert, paving the way for a melee that led to an ejection of 13 players and a bizarre 3on-5 contest.

“I think I overstepped a little bit with my response to the escalation in the game, and I regret those things but I’m gonna let FIBA do everything they need to do to take the time, go through the process and come to the answers that they see fit and bring down the sanctions that they bring down,” Kickert offered.

“I'm not gonna comment too much on the Philippine team or any other things. I'm going step back and let FIBA do what they want to do,” he closed.

Kickert is accused by the Gilas camp for already earning the ire of the Filipinos as early as the pre-game shootaround. A separate video FOX Sports Australia, on the other hand, tries to refute this claim by showing a clip of Calvin Abueva trying to trip the Aussie.—

Philstar.com