All Sides Of The Story (Final Part)

Anxiety was nowhere near inside the arena on a broader observation. The 22,181 paying patrons were pretty jubilant and trying to amuse themselves from the long hold up of the game. “GINEBRA” chants were heard and at least five rounds of a crowd wave were made. It was the first time I saw a crowd wave from the floor and to be honest it was an amazing sight to see. Perhaps this was in preparation for the things we are about to find out as we saw the referees walking back in the floor from the OB-Van of ESPN 5.

Four players were ejected from Australia. Nine players were ejected from Gilas. Thirteen disqualifying fouls were handed in just one play.

It was something I wasn’t prepared to see. As what I’ve said in the earlier part of this post, it was pretty disturbing to me.

And like all people who used their liberty to express their own opinion (or hatred, unfortunately), sides were picked and blames were handed out left and right to those they think deserved it.

Allow me to take on all sides again.

It might be the Australians’ fault. Yes, they were the one who stepped over the boundaries of being a guest by ripping off those decals without permission and started the commotion during the game because of Daniel Kickert’s forearm hit to RR Pogoy. But I won’t blame them. I’ve seen people or a group of people who do worse things than this incident when their ego is stepped on. That loss to Japan really put them to all kinds of shame in my observation, and they had a hard time accepting it.

It might be Gilas’ fault. It is true that your character will determine how you react on one action, may it be in victory, in defeat, when your home floor gets trampled on, or when push comes to shove. They could’ve reacted accordingly, like what many people (or haters) say. However, as the players and coaches pointed out hours after the commotion, when a family gets hurt emotionally and physically you can expect all hell will break lose. Try to consider it as the best in us and at the same time the worse in us. I don’t blame them either.

It could be the referees’ fault. They were the ones that I initially blamed on our drive home after the game and up until now I still blame them. The day after that game I called two more basketball games over at the PBA D-League and there was no doubt that that incident will be talked about. A senior PBA official validated my thought that it was the referees’ fault. “Basta may nagkagulo sa court, referee ang may kasalanan.” were the exact words of the official. Once chaos ensues in the court in any game, the referees totally lost control of it.

Don’t be too quick though in questioning the capabilities of the referees. They are international referees accredited by FIBA and have also called on countless number of international games. But no matter how many games the referees called, they could have missed all the other circumstances that surrounded that game; how these two teams play, and more importantly the activities that happened before the game. Had the referee known all those stuff, they could have called a foul on somebody by just even looking at an opponent. That might have ruin the flow of the game big time considering Gilas and the Boomers play physical, but we may sure have prevented that brawl from happening.

“What will happen next?” is the question basketball-loving Filipinos have in mind right now. This post took more than 10 days to complete because I was also asking that question. The FIBA extended its deadline to submit all the documentary evidence or statements from the two camps before it commences hearing and eventually hand down its decision. Everyone assumes suspensions will be handed out to the players involved, including me… and it’s a very likely event as of this writing. Others went as far as the Philippines being “banned” again by FIBA. A suspension might be a very bizarre decision considering that it is basketball – a non-violent contact sport – and such things like that have a small probability of happening, and the incident of decal removals where the SBP – our local basketball governing body – is the distressed party. Sinira na nga ang bahay mo, ikaw pa ang paparusahan? Parang hindi naman tama.

 What should we must learn from all of this?

For Australia, they must realize that they are a part of FIBA Asia now, where the competition is relatively light compared to what New Zealand is giving them on a yearly basis before, but expect that they won’t go down without a fight. They must have taken Japan for granted in that game where the Japanese gave their all combined with them being very hot, feeling good, and lucky that night. Never will the Australians must repeat this again… so come the next game they won’t vent their ire on the floor decals or on top-of-the-basket cameras.

For Gilas, their journey has been well-documented and broadcasted like it was a soap opera on TV. We knew their character on and off the court. This incident will be a significant part of their journey. Each one, whether it is a player, a naturalized player, an inactive part of the team, or a coach… they have each other’s backs no matter what. Basketball man o suntukan, walang iwanan.

For me, this is a lesson of how I should prepare myself mentally in any game that I call. This is sports, and anything can happen, including seeing a five-on-three basketball game. It was an advice intended for the three referees who called that game in an interview on TV that I saw, and I must take that advice as well… since it came from an official that I look up to as well.

For us… I encourage everyone to put themselves in others’ shoes. We can at least try to understand where people are coming from if we fail to understand their action. It could have prevented at least unsolicited and unnecessary criticisms from us, specially criticisms to Gilas… in a time where they badly needed our support.

In the meantime, there’s more basketball to enjoy to. Let’s all move on.

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