Free-for-all brawl breaks out during Gilas-Australia game

As expected, things got heated between Gilas Pilipinas and the Australian Boomers.

With bad blood already between the sides from a day prior to this game, the two squads figured in a violent on-court brawl during their game Monday evening.

Riding on the jeers of the crowd, the Australians built on the booing to gain a 31-point lead, 79-48, with 4:01 left.

Roger Pogoy went for a drive against Chris Goulding, who was torching the Philippines. The Australian did not budge and Pogoy bodied him up.

Seeing his teammate being confronted, Daniel Kickert threw an elbow at Pogoy. All hell broke loose afterwards.

Jayson Castro and Andray Blatche hit Kickert, while Goulding was mugged by Gilas’ bench led by Carl Cruz and Calvin Abueva. Goulding was dragged off the court, bloodying him up.

Gilas cadet Troy Rike tried to pull Abueva and Cruz away while covering Goulding from receiving any further harm.

While trying to stop the fight, Terrence Romeo threw a quick hammer fist on Thon Maker. Feeling the hit, Maker tried to throw a flying knee at Romeo but missed.

On the other end off the court, Cruz and Castro chased Kickert, while Jiovani Jalalon — together with Allein Maliksi — and Nathan Sobey also figured in a fist fight.

It took almost 10 minutes before the officials and security were able to stop the brawl. The referees have yet to assess penalties as of publishing.