WHEN Gilas Pilipinas was drawn with Australia in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asia, it evoked a memory in Philippine basketball when a brawl broke out between the two teams in July 2018 at the Philippine Arena.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said the federation has moved on from that dark chapter in the sport, and is glad that he has developed a harmonious relationship with Basketball Australia.

“I’ve developed a good relationship with the head of federation of Australia,” Panlilio, a member of the powerful FIBA Central Board, said recently.

“That was the past. We understand that. We learn from that. Alam ko, July ang anniversary date nun. But we move on from that," he continued.

"We just play basketball. That’s what we have to focus on."

The brawl that began when RR Pogoy hit a hard foul Chris Goulding led to sanctions to the SBP and Basketball Australia as well as to multiple players and coaches including then-Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, assistant coach Jong Uichico, Pogoy, and Calvin Abueva from the Philippines side, and Daniel Kickert and Thon Maker from the Australia said.

But past is past.

In fact, Panlilio shared that during a recent FIBA Central Board meeting, Australia was among the other federations that was hoping that they would drew with the Philippines in the World Cup qualifiers since Gilas Pilipinas attracts crowds from their games.

According to Panlilio, even New Zealand was looking forward to being drawn with the Philippines with its experiencing in hosting the games during the qualification tournament.

As it is, Australia, New Zealand, and Guam will be playing against the Philippines in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers that begins in the November 2025 international window.

“All the other federations want a game with the Philippine team kasi they get a crowd,” Panlilio said.

“Even the World Cup qualifying seedings and groupings, New Zealand was happy, Australia was happy, and Guam was obviously happy because they will fill stadiums if the Philippines play there.”

“New Zealand, the same. When we were there last February, the head of federation, sabi nga niya, 85 percent of the crowd was Pinoy. And they have Filipino activities outside, they were cooking, they were selling stuff in the stadium. They appreciate the pool of the Philippines,” said Panlilio.

Panlilio said the focus is on playing the game since the Boomers are among the formidable teams in the FIBA Asia Zone that Gilas Pilipinas must hurdle in order to return to the World Cup.

“At the end of the day, with Tim (Cone), the focus is just to play. We don’t even think about that (Philippines-Australia brawl),” he added.

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