World Cup 2023: Boomers hit back over racism claims from Australia-Philippines basketball fight

In the aftermath of Australia’s wild brawl against the Philippines five years ago, Boomers were accused of sparking the fight with shocking racial abuse - allegations which left them hurt and angry.

Jason Cadee is genuinely shocked and hurt as he listens for the first time to unsubstantiated claims aired on an ABC sports podcast that Australian basketballers used racial slurs during the infamous 2018 brawl against the Philippines in Manila.

CODE Sports played Cadee a recording of Filipino freelance photographer – Winston Baltasar – speaking to the ABC sports journalist Tracey Holmes on her radio show and podcast The Ticket that was aired just a few days after wild melee.

In a live interview on national ABC radio Baltasar claimed he heard Boomers players refer to their Philippines rivals as “monkeys” during the World Cup qualifier.

“There was a lot of chat on social media about the fact the taunting had racist overtones. Do you have anything that, that can confirm of deny that?” Holmes asked the photographer.

Baltasar responded: “We did hear the work monkeys been thrown around.”

Holmes continued: “And that word was used by Australian players, you know that for sure?”

Baltasar: “Yes, yes.”

Holmes: “Did you hear that yourself?”

Baltasar: “I couldn’t hear exactly who said it but I did hear it.”

Boomer Jason Cadee has firmly rejected suggestions Australia’s fight with the Philippines resulted from racist taunts. Picture: AAP

After hearing the exchange a frustrated Cadee insists the Boomers didn’t racially abuse the Philippines players and the claims only surfaced as an excuse from the Filipinos for their role in the ugly melee.

“It sucked and hurt to see the allegations because it was such a serious and dangerous situation going on,” Cadee said.

“There was genuine fear for a lot of us, so to hear those allegations, it was just false.

“Anyone that knows us and knows our group of guys – that is not who we are.

“We might play hard and annoy people through our constant play, but we’d never ever be disrespectful.

“When that (racial allegations) started coming out I thought it was a cop out for their (the Philippines) actions.”

Cadee did confirm the Boomers players labelled Philippines guard Roger Pogoy a “flog” and a “tosser” after he kept hassling Australian Chris Goulding with pinches and scratches.

In an online article off the back of her podcast Holmes wrote: “Australian basketballers allegedly called Philippine players ‘monkeys’ before the brawl” and “...the ABC has been told racist taunts may have contributed to the physical boilover.”

Holmes failed to provide a response from Basketball Australia or any of the Boomers players.

These claims were strongly denied by the Australian Basketballers‘ Association and Basketball Australia, who issued a joint statement labelling Baltasar’s remarks as “unsubstantiated and highly defamatory” and expressed disappointment with the ABC’s decision to publish the interview.

It came as Philippines coach Chot Reyes said he didn’t hear any Australian players use racial abuse towards his players in an interview on SportsCenter Philippines.

FIBA’s investigation into the brawl also cleared the Boomers of any wrongdoing.

Five years on from the incident, Cadee still feels frustrated about the allegations of racial abuse aimed at his Australian teammates.

Originally published as World Cup 2023: Boomers hit back over racism claims from Australia-Philippines basketball fight