Thug mentality: Find out the politikos who condoned Gilas’ players ugly fight with Aussies

Last updated Jul 4, 2018

It was an ugly and embarrassing end to a lopsided basketball match witnessed by basketball fans all over the world so it’s surprising why some politikos have come out to defend the thuggish behavior of Filipino players on its home court at the Philippine Arena owned by Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Thirteen players from both sides were ejected – 9 from Gilas and 4 from the Boomers – in a crucial FIBA match to earn the right to play for basketball’s version of the World Cup in 2019 in China, but as of this writing, only the Australians have apologized for the melee while Filipino basketball officials appear to have taken a defiant stance and blamed the Boomers for the mess.

Some politikos have taken to Twitter to justify the actions taken by the Gilas players managed by bilyonaryo Manny V. Pangilinan, including the players who were not even on the floor and joined the free-for-all and the team officials who dd not lift a finger to control the brawl which lasted too long.

1) 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Michael Romero

Officials of FIBA will certainly take notice of this. SBP officials must have a heart-to-heart talk with the Gilas Team. I will always stand behind our players. #FIBAWC #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/wg1EaHfcud
— Michael Odylon Romero (@MikeeRomeroPhD) July 2, 2018

2) Sen. Joel Villanueva, the son of Jesus Is Lord founder Eddie Villanueva

Unfortunately the game ended in a brawl. Can you really blame our Gilas players, down 25+ points these guys were still taunting then the solid elbow off Pugoy’s face? #puso
— Joel Villanueva (@senatorjoelv) July 2, 2018

3) Sen. JV Ejercito

Daniel Kickert of Australia was the one who shoved Matthew Wright during warm ups, he was also the one who gave the elbow to Roger Pogoy’s blind side that started the brawl. Dirty & arrogant player. pic.twitter.com/VDVmZ72mqw
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) July 2, 2018

Gilas Pilipinas vs. Australia game was tension filled from the start. Matthew Wright was shoved by Daniel Kickert during warm ups. Not defending the Gilas but that is utter disrespect and inappropriate as game hasn’t even started. Australians were taunting the players & crowd.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) July 2, 2018

4) Former Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno who is vice chair of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

Puno told reporters after the game that he was “proud” of the Filipino basketball players because they showed they were a “united team.”

“I think there’s an attempt to disrespect us and I think we stood our ground and I think I’m proud of the Gilas Pilipinas boys for standing our ground, fighting for the Filipino people. But of course, it’s an unfortunate incident. We don’t want these things to happen.”
“It’s a little bit of an embarrassment I guess but we stand together. This was a bad situation that I think we can only hope to get some good out of it and say that we showed ourselves as a united team. A team that fights together and doesn’t back down from anyone so let that be a lesson to everybody else.”

5) Senate President Tito Sotto

6) Sen. Sonny Angara

“It was an unfortunate event but I stand by the Gilas team on this. In the heat of the moment, the players on both sides had to stand up for each other. It is not only a universal human reaction in a team sport, but for those who have played the game, looking after each other is part of the brotherhood among team members.”

SBP Chair Sonny Angara says he stands by Gilas following #FIBAWC brawl with Australia, adds "sanctions must be meted out" https://t.co/PliMGyrPhc pic.twitter.com/N3xvhRV7Jj
— Sports Desk (@sportsdeskph) July 3, 2018

Replays showed the Philippines RR Pogoy started the melee when he shoved an Australian player:

What a disgrace! Phillipines should be expelled from basketball. Safety concerns for Australian side. #basketball #fiba #boomers pic.twitter.com/QoC8ujiP4h
— Brent Dawkins (@DawkinsBrent) July 2, 2018

Pogoy’s hit on Goulding appeared to trigger everything. After that, Kickert landed a solid on Pogoy, starting the free for all. The ugliest of it all is that an apparent fan threw a chair at Australia’s Sobey #FIBAWC | @abscbnsports
— Paul Kennedy Lintag (@paullintag8) July 2, 2018

The pro-Gilas politlikos are apparently taking the stand of Coach Chot Reyes who not only failed to control his players but also apparently encouraged them to hit back. Reyes:

Coach Chot explains Gilas side on the brawl that ensued in the 3rd qtr vs Australia @Sports5PH pic.twitter.com/4fVYjfoOw4
— Lyn Olavario (@frauey) July 2, 2018