Post-match Statements from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. and Basketball Australia

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. released their statement on the incident involving the Philippines and Australia in the July 2 FIBA World Cup Qualifier.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) apologizes to Filipino basketball fans and to the basketball community for the incident that occurred during last night’s game. As hosts, we regret having breached the bounds of traditional Filipino hospitality. As the national team representing flag and country, we likewise extend our apologies to the Filipino people.

SBP stands by its conviction that violence has no place in sports.

We will review the incident comprehensively and await the decision of FIBA with respect to disciplinary proceedings on the matter.

The SBP statement is after Basketball Australia released a couple of statements in the aftermath of the incident.

The first came after the game.

Basketball Australia deeply regrets the incident in tonight’s match between the Boomers and the Philippines in Manila. We are extremely disappointed with what happened and our role in it.

“This is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball.

"We apologise to our fans and will await the penalties to be handed down.

The second was done the morning after, as Chief Executive Anthony Moore addressing it publicly, which the federation streamed through its Facebook page.



FIBA has only addressed this matter on a simple tweet.

Following the incident that occured in the third quarter of the Philippines-Australia game on Monday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, FIBA will now open disciplinary proceedings against both teams. The decision(s) will be communicated in the coming days.

— FIBA media (@FIBA_media) July 2, 2018