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| Finally, a formal closure for Gilas and Australia in the Philippines, eight years after their "basketbrawl". Richard Esguerra |
PASAY--While emotions somehow got in the way of Gilas Pilipinas in its Sunday night blowout loss to Australia, as evidenced by a technical foul slapped on coach Tim Cone, not a single drop of blood went through the hands of both teams in the Philippines, unlike the events of the infamous "basketbrawl" at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.
In fact, as a testament that everyone has already made amends after the nasty fracas that was heard around the world on July 2, 2018 and was even compared to the "Malice in the Palace", the brawl during a 2004 game between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, all the Gilas and Boomer players took a picture together after the game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
However, according to Gilas assistant coach Jong Uichico, the hatchet had long been buried way before the "peace picture" took place.
"Ang tagal tagal na noon. Binubuhay pa natin. Tapos na yun. That's already eight years ago, so nagkalimutan na," said Uichico, who was involved in the 2018 Gilas-Australia brawl and was later sanctioned for his role.
The concurrent NLEX head coach added that there was no more animosity between the two teams in their next meetings.
"Sa kanila, wala na. Sa amin, wala na," Uichico further said.
He also said that the bench-clearing commotion before that saw punches and even chairs thrown was a classic example of the saying, "What happens in the game stays in the game."
"Sa basketball, after the game, tapos na yun. I don't think it matters already because it's been eight years," Uichico said, although he admitted that he was not able to meet Nick Kay, the lone player from that 2018 team that joined the Boomers in their trip here this FIBA World Cup Qualifier window, since they do not know each other personally.
Australia still got the better of Gilas in its first road game in the Philippines after the worst event that happened in Bocaue since the 1993 Pagoda Tragedy.
However, seeing both teams share smiles, handshakes, and even a brief moment of camaraderie afterward is still a joyful sight for both their fans.
