Australia’s crucial clash at the top of Group B against the Philippines was abandoned with one minute to play in the third quarter, following a massive brawl between the two sides.
While Australia had dominated the game and walk away with the win, it won’t be the result which is remembered in the fallout.
Launched by a foul on Chris Goulding, Daniel Kickert threw an elbow into one of the host nation’s players and it errupted, with the bench clearing and an all-in brawl following. In one of the most baffling incidents ever seen on a basketball court, the referees would take 35 minutes to reach a verdict, with 13 players ejected in total – nine of them from the Philippines.
The game restarted with a five versus three situation, before the hosts quickly fouled themselves out to end the game with 11 minutes still to play.
Final score
Philippines – 53
Australia – 89
55,000 fans are expected to descend upon the Philippine Arena to watch the Philippines and Australia square off for a chance to top Group B in the first round of Basketball World Cup qualification. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:30pm (AEST).
While there is no pressure on this game in terms of qualifying for the second round of qualification, picking up the points for a win is still incredibly important.
All results earned in the first round are carried over to the second round of qualification, where no team will want to be starting from a backmarker, given only three of six teams in each second round group will move into the World Cup out of the Asian zone.
As it stands, Australia were on a roll, having won their first four games. After beating Chinese Taipei on the road, they then got the better of all three teams – with Japan the other – in their group at home.
This was always going to be the hardest window of matches for the Boomers though, with trips away to Japan and the Philippines just a few days apart. That’s exactly what it proved to be during the first of those matches on Friday night as well.
Instead of coming away with their fifth win in a row (and 16th in a row in total matches including the FIBA Asia Cup and friendlies), the Boomers were stunned by Japan.
Simply put, Australia were outplayed. Andrej Lemanis didn’t adjust his teams tactics to the Japanese onslaught, who had to win to stay in the hunt for a second-round berth.
While the final margin was only a point, this has the potential to be more, with the Philippines a better side and backed by a larger, more vocal crowd.
Andray Blatche will be the key man for the Philippines, with the big centre causing problems for the Boomers in their last game played at the Margaret Court Arena.
The Philippines have also only lost one game in their qualification run (to Australia), after getting the better of Chinese Taipei away from home on Friday.
The solid 22-point victory came on the back of 12 rebounds and 13 points, but he was backed up strongly by Jayson Castro and June Fajardo, who both had big games.
Prediction
The Boomers shouldn’t lose two straight, but this is going to be easier said than done.
Australia by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this all-important FIBA World Cup qualifier from 9:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
tom
Guest
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Brendon
Guest
Darren Lehmann's move to basketball (with his pro sledging approach to the game) may provide some answers to Soccer Australia's next Soccer World Cup 2022 campaign. An unnamed source has revealed that the prospect of losing a game may well be mitigated by any decision game officials may take to cancel a game before the final whistle. As such the cancelled game would not be an official loss for either team but rather calculated in the same way a draw would be. Depending of course who the Socceroos were playing at the time , a 'stoush' may well be an option to ensure progression in the competition.
anon
Roar Pro
The Filipina instigated it by shoving the Aussie to the ground for no reason. Real cheap shot. The Aussie was just evening the score. Then the Filipinas all jumped in we were outnumbered about 5 to 1. They fought like cowards. The Aussie guy on the ground getting assaulted by a dozen Filipinas is the most outrageous things I have ever seen in sport. Absolutely disgusting.
Favtor
Guest
It was obviously a FIBA rule why they allowed 5 vs.3 for a few minutes to formally called off the game.That is why the 2 players from the Phil. keep fouling the Australian intentionally so they can be fouled out to formally finished the game fast.
Favtor
Guest
Ask the officials..It is a FIBA rule why they allowed 5 vs.3 for a few minutes to formally called off the game.That is why the 2 players from the Phil. fouled the Australian intentionally so they can be fouled to formally finished the game.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Kickert to be sanctioned, and Maker too. But then again most of the Philippines team should be. What I really can't believe is the reaction from the Philippines bench. The bench players and officials were throwing some of the worst punches. Chairs thrown, coward hits, stomping - the brawl had it all. Weird scenes afterwards too with the selfies, laughter and faces pulled on camera by the Philippines. And then extremely bizarre to continue after thirteen ejections and a 40 minute interval... should have called it off. An absolute joke.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FIBA have a lot to sort out. First up, whether the Philippines can even stay in qualification. I have never seen anything like that in any sport. Ever.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, I'm going to leave it there. I'm still trying to wrap my head around exactly what just happened. We will have highlights in the morning I assume. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. The Roar will be back in September and October with the next World Cup Qualifiers and indeed the NBLxNBA matches. Bye for now.
Bill
Guest
Why was there no one to help Sobey? He was getting his ass kicked for a few minutes there with no help.
bogz
Guest
Both teams have faults in here. The two guys bumping and having cheap shots at each other is ok. Part of the sports but when kickert step in and deliver a hard blow. Man! that was something else. A very hard blow. It meant to knocked out his opponent. A very bad decision. And worse it happened in front of the filipino bench. If that happens in front of aussies bench, You'll never know what will the aussies will do. the filipinos should have stayed in the bench and let the officials on to handle the situation. A big mistake for filipinos also. It just makes the situation worse. Everything that happened is disgusting. Both aussies and filipinos
Damo
Guest
Big test for FIBA coming up. Phillipines meant to be hosting 2023 Worlds, can you even let them now? Only kickert and maker in trouble for Aus but most of Pilli including their admin have yo sanctioned hard. A bloke even came from the crowd and threw a chair!
Swampy
Guest
Wow - I am sad.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The fallout from this will continue for sometime. Fair to say Daniel Kickert is going to be suspended, but there is no doubt in my mind the Philippines should be removed from the tournament and not allowed to qualify for the World Cup. That was quite unbelievable.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on... Well, I would say the game, but let's go with whatever that was then Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
That is an absolutely disgusting look for the sport of basketball. I have never and probably will never see anything like it again. A night which started with first place in Group B on the line, ends in a punch-up and with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter as the Philippines foul out of players.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Norwood now done and dusted and that will be the end. Philippines down to one player and the game can no longer continue. Philippines - 53 Australia - 89
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 2' No one is defending anymore. Quick foul now and we walk up the court for more free throws. This is an absolute joke. An absolute joke. Philippines - 51 Australia - 88
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 2' So, it's Angus Brandt to the foul line. He makes both. Philippines - 51 Australia - 88
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 3' The Philippines are just going to keep fouling. They will get this game called off before too long. Fans starting to leave the arena. Fajardo is now out. It's five on two. Philippines - 51 Australia - 86
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 3' I don't quite know how to call this game now. It's five on three and the Philippines have no one on the bench, nine players in the locker room. This is a farce. Philippines - 51 Australia - 86