On July 2, 2018, while Australia led 79 to 48 points in the third quarter of the game at World Cup Basketball Qualifier in the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena, there has been a major brawl between the Australian basketball national team and the Filipino basketball national team. The incident started after Philippines guard Roger Pogoy lashed out at Australia’s Chris Goulding with an errant elbow. Suddenly, Daniel Kickert strikes Kickert in retaliation to a hit on teammate Chris Goulding.
One of the most frightening scenes of the brawl was Chris Goulding being pounced on and beaten by, what appears to be, Philippines fans, staff and players outside the playing court. A photograph, snapped by SPIN.ph, showed a non-playing member punching a vulnerable Nathan Sobey in the face. A minute after the brawl, Philippines staff and players smiling and posing for a selfie.
Roberto Puno, vice-chairman of the Philippines' basketball federation, said he was proud of the way the players had "stood their ground" and were "fighting for the Filipino people". Australian centre, Thon Maker, who plays in the NBA for Milwaukee Bucks and was one of the players ejected from the game, said he was defending his teammates. "I am deeply disappointed in the actions displayed during yesterday's game against the Philippines," "I take responsibility for my actions, knowing that they were a result of my desire to protect my teammates and myself." he posted on social media.
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