Phoenix owner slams 36ers

The fallout from Brisbane and Adelaide’s Ignite Cup clash on the Gold Coast has continued, with a rival owner leaping to the defence of one of the players involved in Wednesday’s incident.

During the fourth quarter of the fixture that the 36ers won by 33 points, an incident occurred between the two sides, which has seen the NBL GRP receive 10 requests for review by the NBL Head of Referees.

One of the 10 individuals named is Brisbane guard Hunter Maldonado, who was one of seven players ejected from the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre on Wednesday.

Since then, the American’s name, among others, has been commented on by numerous Adelaide 36ers figures, including Mike Wells, Dejan Vasiljevic and Nick Rakocevic, which saw the Bullets hit back on Thursday.

Another to vouch for former Phoenix player Maldonado is South East Melbourne owner Romie Chaudhari, via his social channels.

“Hunter Maldonado played for us and one thing I can say is that he always has been a high character person, he's a class act.

“The folks at the Adelaide 36ers who are trying to sandbag him need to apologise to that man.

“I don't see how Hunter got tossed. Rakocevic delivered an elbow to him, he has to be able to at least protect himself and he barely had a chance to do even that.”

Both Brisbane and Adelaide have been notified by the NBL GRP requests and have until 11:35pm AEDT Thursday to submit any player and coach submissions.