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Australia's Nathan Sobey (R) lays-up against June Fajardo of the Philippines during their FIBA World Cup Asian qualifier game at the Philippine arena in Bocaue town, Bulacan province, north of Manila on July 2, ... more

The Philippines and Australian basketball players react, during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Philippine Arena in suburban Bocaue township, Bulacan province north of Manila, Philippines. The Philippines players, left and Australian basketball players react, during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Philippine Arena in suburban Bocaue township, Bulacan province north of Manila, Philippin...

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Basketball's international governing body has opened disciplinary hearings against Australia and the Philippines after a wild brawl that included Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker broke out in their Basketball World Cup qualifying game Monday. "It started when Australia's Daniel Kickert fouled Filipino guard Roger Pogoy and in response Jayson Castro threw a punch and former NBA journeyman Andray Blatche shoved an Australian player," according to Scooby Jaxson of Sports Illustrated. A total of 13 players were ejected after the melee that began in the third quarter of Australia's 89-53 victory following a collision in the lane. The Philippines was ultimately left with just three eligible players and had to forfeit later in the quarter when two of its remaining players fouled out, according to a report from ESPN5 in the Philippines. Anthony Moore, chief executive of Australian basketball, apologized to fans in a statement, adding that "this is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball." Nathan Sobey of Australia (right) was one of four Australians ejected from the game

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman, Harry Roque, said the incident was "the height of being unsportsmanlike", while the team's head coach Vincent Reyes said it was "absolutely unacceptable". FIBA, meanwhile, has announced that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both teams.
A brawl breaks out during a 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifier match between the Philippines and Australia at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.