2 July 2018
By Maxine Louise Lagman
BOCAUE, Bulacan – It has been a game to be remembered for both Aussie and Filipino fans after a melee broke out in the game between Australian Boomers and Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Monday, July 2 at the Philippine Arena.
The Boomers were up by 30 points, 79-48 in the last four minutes of the third quarter when a collision between Gilas Pilipinas guard Roger Pogoy and Boomer Chris Goulding halted the game.
Goulding was knocked down, which promted Aussie big man Daniel Kickert to hit Pogoy with his elbow, knocking him down as well.
Gilas Pilipinas and the Boomers went inside the court and caused an ugly brawl, leading 13 players to be tossed out of the game.
Nine players from Gilas Pilipinas were fouled out, which included Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario, Andray Blatche, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Bryan Cruz, Roger Pogoy and Matthew Wright.
Meanwhile, Australia lost Nathan Sobey, Milwaukee Bucks’ Thon Maker, Kickert and Goulding.
The game continued with a 3 vs 5 format, with Gabe Norwood, June Mar Fajardo still playing for Gilas Pilipinas against five players from the Boomers.
However, it ended at the 1:54 mark of the third quarter after Fajardo and Norwood was fouled out of the game. Based from the FIBA rules, a game could only proceed with at least two players playing on the court, which resulted to Australia winning by default, 89-53.
FIBA media posted a statement on their official Twitter account saying, “Following the incident that occurred in the third quarter of the Philippines-Australia game on Monday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, FIBA will now open disciplinary proceedings against both teams.”
“The decision(s) will be communicated in the coming days,” they added.
Despite the turnout, Australia and Gilas Pilipinas would still advance to the next round of the qualifiers, with the latter obtaining a 4-2 record in the group.
PHOTOS: Philippines vs. Australia, #FIBAWC 2019 Asian Qualifiers
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