spot_img
28 C
Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Aussies, Kickert admit fault

- Advertisement -

Australian Boomer Daniel Kickert admitted that he “overstepped” during a bench-clearing incident when the Philippines and Australia clashed in a 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifier at the Philippine Arena at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan last Monday.

Philippine Basketball Association players involved in the brawl that marred Monday’s FIBA World Cup qualifying match between Gilas and Australia are shown at the PBA office Thursday afternoon upon the invitation of league commissioner Willie Marcial. Also to attend the closed-door meeting are PBA chairman and POC president Victorico Vargas and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio. 

The 6’10” Kickert said this following his return to Australia with the rest of his teammates and the coaching staff the other day.

Kickert, in a statement to the New Zealand Herald, said he “overstepped” by elbowing Gilas Pilipinas guard Roger Pogoy in the face.

“I think I’ve overstepped a little bit with my response to the escalation in the game, I regret those things,” said Kickert.

Kickert’s action was considered by many to be the spark that led to the ugly third-quarter brawl with four minutes and one second left.

- Advertisement -

“I was put in a position where I obviously made an action which was regrettable and unfortunate,” Kickert told the New Zealand and Australian scribes in Brisbane.

The 35-year-old Kickert talked about the incident just as top officials from both the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Basketball Australia issued a joint apology.

“We deeply regret the events that took place during the game. The actions displayed have no place on any basketball court. We wish to apologize to the entire basketball community worldwide—and in particular to our fantastic fans in the Philippines and Australia—for the behavior displayed by both teams and for bringing the game of basketball into disrepute.”

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panlilio and Ned Coten, president of Basketball Australia (BA), released their joint letter of apology following the incident.

FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, is now investigating the incident and has been sent a letter to all federations to send out a written report.

The disciplinary committee is expected to review its findings and make decision within the next two weeks.

Stiff sanctions, penalties and suspensions are expected to be issued by FIBA.

On the other hand, Pogoy has also sent out his apologies last Tuesday.

“Unang una hihingi una kami ng sorry sa lahat ng fans ng Gilas saka fans din ng Australia na may nangyari kagabi na di inaasahan. Move on na tayo. Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko, totoo silang teammate. ‘Di nila ko iniwan. Yung number 4, grabe yung tadyak. At saka si Kickert,” said Pogoy.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne United star who was elbowed by Pogoy while attempting a layup, spoke for the first time about the moment the incident started.

Goulding, who lay on the floor while the incident was flaring up, said Kickert ran in and pushed the opposition player to protect himself, he was punched and kicked before being surrounded by a mob of players and officials who mauled him.

The report said Aussie NBA great Luc Longley’s determination to push into the middle of the circle and stand over Goulding helped stop the beatings.

“There was no daylight for me whatsoever. It felt like a long time. Nathan Sobey, he tried to come and help, but he had a chair thrown at him and then he was coward-punched. Originally I got up to try and see if we could try and break them (Kickert and a Philippines player) apart,” said Goulding.

He added that “the moment I got up, I was kicked by a guy from the bench and then I was set upon. It happened from behind and then 10-15 guys were on top of me with chairs.”

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles