More than 10 players were ejected on Monday in a FIBA World Cup Asian qualifying match between the Philippines and Australia.
Among those players include NBA star Thon Maker, Daniel Kickert, Nathan Sobey, and Chris Goulding were all thrown out of the game. Completing the list were Jeth Troy Rosario, Japeth Aguilar, Roger Ray Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Terrence Bill Romeo, Jayson Castro, Carl Bryan Cruz, Calvin Abueva, and nine-year NBA veteran Andray Blatche.
Biggest Brawl In Basketball
Australia dominated the game all night long as it imposed a dominating 79-48 lead with four minutes to go in the third canto. Looking to break the dry spell, Pogoy tried to break the Australian wall hence throwing an elbow Goulding in the process. Kickert retaliated by punching Pogoy, which resulted in a brawl thereafter.
Moments later, both benches cleared and some blows were exchanged near the photographers' area. At 7-foot-1, Maker, who was selected as the 10th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, was targeted easily by the Filipinos. Aiming to protect himself, the Milwaukee Buck center threw a plethora of jabs and kicks before uncorking a flying knee toward the Filipino ballers.
On the other hand, Blatche initiated the melee for the Philippines as he threw a massive clothesline on an Australian player. As things got settled, Al Panlilio, Philippine basketball president, told everyone on the venue to calm down.
"We are hosting this game and this is basketball. We will wait for the referees, for their decision but please respect the game and may our visitors feel safe in the arena," Panlilio said during the stoppage of the action.
After the lengthy review, the game officials decided to throw out four players from Australia and nine from the Philippines, leaving the latter to just three players. Two players from the Philippines immediately fouled out from the game, resulting in the referees awarding a forfeit victory to Australia 89-53.
FIBA has announced that they will be taking an in-depth look at the incident before serving suspensions to the players involved.
Both the Philippines and Australia are fighting for a spot in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, which will be held in China from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15. A total of 16 squads in the Asia-Oceania region are competing for the seven tickets available in the tournament next year.
Despite the loss, the Philippines have advanced into next round after finishing second in Group B behind Australia. The next phase of the tournament resumes on Sept. 13.
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