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MANILA, Philippines – Mapua University coach Atoy Co offered a nuanced take on the controversial brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia, noting that there was plenty of blame to go around.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the press conference for NCAA Season 94, Co said the incident – which took place in the third quarter of a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier – was a bad look for Philippine basketball.

“Lalong-lalo na host tayo,” he pointed out.

Co then said that blame must be given to the officiating crew, as referees never managed to control the game. “Unang-una, referee ang sinsisi ko doon. Sana hindi umabot doon,” he said.

However, this cannot be used as an excuse, according to the PBA legend. Co expressed his disappointment at what he felt was a lack of mental toughness from the Filipino players, who were unable to handle the situation well.

Co observed that the visiting Australians had already been trying to psych out the Filipinos during warm-ups, when they were allegedly shoving the Gilas players back to their half of the court. For Co, the Filipinos should have taken a stand right then and there.

“Kung ako 'yun, kung intense ka rin, pinakita mo rin, 'Bakit, ano ba ang ginagawa kong masama? Pwede akong tumawid dito. Sino ka ba?' Doon pa lang, sana pinakita na rin nila 'yung katapangan natin,” he said.

He was even more disappointed at the coaching staff, which got involved in the melee. Jong Uichico, in particular, was seen hitting Australia’s Chris Goulding during the fracas.

“Pati ‘yung coaching staff, bumigay,” said Co, who nevertheless expressed his appreciation for Uichico’s apology.

The “Fortune Cookie” did not absolve Australia of blame. For him, the Boomers were overly physical in the match, to the point that the referees could no longer control their actions.

There was, however, one incident after the brawl that truly angered Co.

“Sana 'di na nakita doon na nagse-selfie pa sila after the incident. Hindi maganda para sa akin 'yun na nagtatawanan. Hindi maganda para sa akin 'yun. Hindi maganda,” he said emphatically.

• READ: Was Ping's post-brawl selfie insensitive?

“Nagtatawanan pa kayo. Kasi pinaglalaban natin 'yung bandera. Kasi noong araw, kami kapag sumuot kami ng bandera, paglalaban namin din hanggang patayan. Hindi ko naman sinasabing hindi kayo lumaban, pero after the incident, hindi maganda 'yung gesture na pinakita niyo sa tao,” he noted.

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