The FIBA sanctions on the Philippine and Australian teams garnered various social media opinions, including those from Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and NBA player Thon Maker
Graphics by Marian Hukom
Yesterday, FIBA handed down the sanctions to both Gilas Pilipinas and Australia Boomers, including some of the coaches and officials involved in the ugly brawl that took place on July 2.
Ten players from Gilas Pilipinas will serve their respective number of suspensions come the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifying games. Head coach Chot Reyes and deputy coach Jong Uichico were also slapped with suspensions and fines, but Reyes stood firm that he never ordered his players to hurt someone during their FIBA Asian Qualifier match against Australia.
Reyes took to Twitter to react to FIBA’s decision to suspend him for one game and fine 10,000 Swiss francs (around P530,000) “for inciting unsportsmanlike behavior.”
Moreover, some individuals have also reacted on and questioned the sanctions and gave their opinion on which coach and players should suit up for action in the next qualifying games.
However, Australian forward and Milwaukee Bucks player Thon Maker also expressed his sentiments on Twitter and said that he disagrees with the FIBA’s decision to sanction him a three-game ban as he was just trying to protect himself and his teammates. The lanky player also blamed the lack of security inside the Philippine Arena during the night of the scuffle.