By Dan Cancian
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Milwaukee Bucks center Thon Maker was involved in a wild brawl during Australia's game against the Philippines on Monday.
Basketball's world governing body, FIBA, has opened disciplinary hearings against both teams after the incident marred their Basketball World Cup qualifier in Bulacan, Philippines.
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With four minutes left in the third quarter, Australia's Chris Goulding was shoved to the floor prompting his teammate, Daniel Kickert, to elbow a Philippines player in retaliation. That sparked a major melee which saw virtually most of the Philippines' players to leave the bench and chase Kickert around the court.
Former Washington Wizards player Andray Blatche—now playing for the Philippines—appeared to throw a flurry of punches as fists and chairs flew onto the court in what quickly descended into a street fight.
Footage shows Maker, who plays for Australia, leaping into the brawl and attempting to kick an opponent as referees struggled to regain control of the situation.
A total of thirteen players were ejected before the game continued with just three players from the Philippines on the court. However, it was eventually called off when two of them fouled out as Australia secured a comfortable 89-53 victory.
"Basketball Australia deeply regrets the incident in tonight's match between the Boomers and the Philippines in Manila," said Anthony Moore, the chief executive of Basketball Australia .
He continued by saying "we are extremely disappointed with what happened and our role in it."
"This is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball. We apologise to our fans and will await the penalties to be handed down."
Bizarrely, the Philippines players then gathered for a selfie at the end of the game, a decision which left Moore very surprised.
"You've been in a major altercation and then to be seemingly enjoying the moment, I found that very strange,'' he was quoted as saying by The Courier Mail.
"I found it extraordinary that in those circumstances, in a tinder box environment like that, that the game continues with three players [for the Philippines].''
FIBA said it will make a decision in the coming days and the verdict could have a major impact on both countries, particularly given the Philippines are set to host the FIBA World Cup in 2023.
Moore added he wants FIBA to guarantee the tournament will be conducted in a safe environment.
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