Former PBA chair Romero calls for "heart-to-heart talk" between SBP, Gilas after brawl with Australia

Former PBA chair Mikee Romero expressed his disappointment on the Gilas-Australia brawl. Nikki Collantes

By Ivan Saldajeno

BOCAUE--Former PBA board chairman Mikee Romero believes the brawl that took place between Gilas and Australia on Monday night at the Philippine Arena is something uncalled for even if the Filipinos are getting bullied by the foreigners.

"Hindi natin maipagmamalaki ang nangyari," the current vice chairman of the congressional committee on youth and sports development said in a statement later in the night. "I have been in these situations before. Many countries try to bully each other during international games. Whoever blinks first loses his pride and dignity for the rest of his basketball life."

He also believes that Filipinos need "some soul-searching" after what transpired.

"SBP officials must have a heart-to-heart talk with the Gilas Team," he added.

Romero, currently a part of the national polo team, then assured his support for our national athletes, saying, "I will always stand behind our players."

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