Safety first for Australia’s Adelaide 36ers as Gilas Pilipinas extend ‘Goodwill Games’ olive branch after World Cup brawl

Australia’s Adelaide 36ers are taking no chances for their proposed “Goodwill Games” trip to the Philippines and are in talks with officials to ensure their safety while in Manila.

Gilas Pilipinas are hoping to face the 36ers on August 23 and 25 as part of their preparations for the World Cup in China and also at the request of coach Yeng Guiao to make peace with the Australians after a brawl between players of both countries in July last year.

Adelaide 36ers communications media and communications manager Kate Taeuber said a decision will be made this week. CEO Ben Kavenagh earlier issued a statement via the club’s website.

“The proposed trip would mark the first time an Australian team has played in the Philippines since the incident between the two national teams during the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers last year,” Kavenagh said.

“The trip presents a great opportunity for the 36ers’ new-look team to bond as a group, refine game-plans and develop against a quality opponent.

“However, team safety is of paramount importance and the club is currently working closely with Basketball Australia, the NBL [National Basketball League] and Philippines Basketball to exercise due diligence before making any commitments.”

The brawl erupted in the third quarter of Australia’s 89-53 win at the Philippine Arena in Manila. Governing body Fiba then suspended 13 players – 10 from the Philippines – with the home side fined 250,000 Swiss francs (US$252,000) and Australia slapped with a 100,000 Swiss franc penalty.

Four of the Gilas players who were suspended are part of the 19-man initial training squad for the World Cup and who may line up against Adelaide – Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright, Andray Blatche, Roger Pogoy, No Adelaide player was involved in that game.

Gilas manager Gabby Cui told the South China Morning Post that the games were organised in the hope of moving on from the brawl.

“We call it the Goodwill Games because after what happened last time, we want to extend an olive branch and show that we have moved on,” said Cui.

Cui, meanwhile, said the Philippines are still hoping for a “miracle” with their NBA star Jordan Clarkson, who is in the training squad but is barred from playing because Fiba consider him a naturalised player.

Fiba rules allow only one naturalised player in any squad and that place is going to Blatche, who played a key role in helping the Philippines qualify for the World Cup.

Gilas management is hoping Cleveland Cavaliers’ Clarkson, who made his Gilas debut at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, can be brought in as a local player and is awaiting Fiba’s decision.

“We are still waiting for the decision by Fiba,” said Cui. “We have only one slot for a naturalised player and that is Andray Blatche. He is in our Gilas pool of 19 players and played for us throughout the qualifiers.

“We put Jordan in the squad in case there is a last-minute miracle. We always consider Jordan as a Gilas player. He really wants to play for Philippines but we are committed to Blatche.”

Clarkson told Philippine media on Monday that he was ready to play if he gets the green light.

“I’m just standing ready, working out. If I get the opportunity, it will happen,” said Clarkson on spin.ph. “If not, it is what it is. I’ll just suit up for another time.”