Philippines basketball brawl: Australia inflamed issue by ripping up decals from court, admits chief

Basketball Australia chief executive Anthony Moore has admitted it “wasn’t the smartest move” by team officials to remove advertising decals from the court at the Philippine Arena, admitting it likely riled the Gilas Pilipinas before Monday’s World Cup qualifier, which erupted into a spectacular all-out brawl.

World basketball’s governing body Fiba has opened disciplinary proceedings against the teams after the game in Bulacan outside Manila descended into farce.

In all, 13 players were ejected following a mass melee involving officials and fans where punches, kicks and even a chair were thrown. Fiba said it would make a decision in the coming days.

“There’s no doubt that heightened the issue, but that was more from an administrator, federation-to-federation part as opposed to players,” he said.

Moore said Basketball Australia had swiftly apologised to the Philippines Basketball Association over the incident, but claimed they removed the decals to ensure the safety of their players.

“We had a team shoot around the day before, floor decals are always something that you look at,” Moore said.