FIBA slaps Philippines with 13M fine plus lengthy player suspensions

MANILA, Philippines – After weeks of investigation and careful deliberation on massive bench-clearing brawl early this month, FIBA has released the verdict on both Philippines and Australia on July 19, 2018.

FIBA slaps Philippines with 13M fine plus lengthy player suspensions
The verdict is out for Philippines and Australia after the massive bench-clearing brawl | Photo Credit: GMA Network

To sum it up, Philippines was imposed with a CHF 250,000 or PHP 13,000,000 plus multiple long-term suspensions to 10 Gilas Pilipinas players and coaching staff.

Following the unfortunate incident between Philippines vs Australia in the 3rd window of FIBA World Asian Qualifiers in Bocaue Bulacan on July 2 where the supposed friendly but bearing match ended up in a massive-bench-clearing brawl the following players have been slapped with hefty sanctions:

  • 1 Game suspension for Matthew Wright and Japeth Aguilar.
  • 3 Game suspensions for Terrence Romeo, Jason Castro-William and Andray Blatche.
  • 5 Game suspensions for Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz and Jio Jalalon
  • 6 Game suspensions for Calvin Abueva for severe unsportsmanlike behavior prior to the FIBA Tournament.

Asst. Coach Jong Uichico was also penalized with a 3-game suspension for attacking Chris Goulding while Coach Chot Reyes got a 1-game suspension plus CHF 10,000 or PHP 535,000 fine.

For Team Australia, the accused instigator, Daniel Kickert got 5-game suspension, Thon Maker has 3-game suspension and Chris Goulding with 1-game suspension.

The Boomers were also obliged to pay FIBA CHF 100,000 or PHP 5,350,000 for participating in the fracas.

The game suspensions only cover the FIBA sanctioned tournaments including the qualifiers and the World Cup. The suspended players however will be allowed to play in their respective local leagues as well as the NBA.

Aside from the fines and suspensions, Philippines’ next home games will be a closed-door event where the fans are not allowed to watch.

As for the referees, FIBA has decided to demote them and they no longer allowed to officiate the elite tournaments for failing to call the crucial plays and not able to control the game for a minimum duration of 1-year.

As of writing, both SBP and Basketball Australia haven’t released their statements with regards to FIBA’s verdict.

— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express



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