I feel very disgusted on how the Philippine National Basketball Team managed to hold their temper against the Australian team in our own soil during the FIBA World Cup.
Gilas Pilipinas threw their punches last July 2 at Philippine Arena against the Australian Boomers during their basketball game.
The incident happened when Australia was having its way over the Philippines with a 31-point lead, 79-48, with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter of the game.
The game was paused for more than 30 minutes as the referees replayed the brawl in an OB van outside the venue.
The International Basketball Federation or Fédération Internationale de Basket-ball (FIBA) slapped Gilas Pilipinas' Pogoy, Castro, Blatche, Abueva, Romeo, Cruz, Wright, Troy Rosario and Japeth Aguilar disqualifying fouls, which leaves only 3 remaining players for the team.
On the other hand, Australia Boomers' Sobey, Maker, Kickert and Goulding were ejected.
Due to Gilas Pilipinas being outnumbered, the game ended with 1:57 minutes left in the 3rd quarter with the Australia taking home an 89-53 win by default.
The scenario was a brave act - defending our rights as what our forefathers have taught us. But doing a thing that is not deemed acceptable is a grave abuse of that bravery. It is not what our ancestors wants us to do. Despite the fact that we are being belittled and bullied, we must keep things right. I salute the Gilas Pilipinas' players who didn't participated during the brawling incident. That truly mirrors the Filipino attitude.
I hope that for the next time, we will never arrive again at this point wherein this is how we will greet our visitors, whether they made a mistake or not.
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