MANILA, Philippines — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has broken its silence over the melee that transpired in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifying game at the Philippine Arena involving Gilas Pilipinas and the Australia Boomers on Monday night.
In a copy furnished to ESPN5, the SBP said it regrets “having breached the bounds of traditional Filipino hospitality.”
https://t.co/nb7UW27CWv pic.twitter.com/qNLLa7SJD1
— Jinno Rufino (@JinnoRufino) July 3, 2018
The statement was issued 18 hours after the incident that led to a Gilas loss via default and a 4-2 standing in Group B play. The Philippines was reduced to just Baser Amer in the third period of the game.
Basketball Australia, for its part, has already given its take on the incident. It rolled out a statement Monday night.
Head coach Chot Reyes and SBP president Al Panlilio are currently live at the network sharing their thoughts. An initial press conference slated Tuesday night at a hotel in Ortigas was cancelled.