Australia top Group B after win over Philippines

BULACAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Australia defeated the Philippines, 89-53, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan to top Group B at the close of the Asian Qualifiers first round.

Chris Goulding scored 20 points on the back of 4 three-pointers to lead the Boomers to their fifth win in six Asian Qualifiers games. Daniel Kickert also scored in double-digits with 12 points for Australia, who were coming off a stunning loss to Japan a couple of days ago.

Andray Blatche and June Mar Fajardo top-scored for the home team with 12 and 10 points respectively. The Philippines needed a win here to rise to first place in the group, but they will settle for a 4-win, 2-loss card heading into the Second Round.

The game was paused in the third quarter following an incident involving several players from both teams that needed additional review from the game officials. After review, four players from Australia and nine players from Philippines were sent off the playing area. Play continued until the Philippines were left with only one player on the court.

As a result, the Philippines lost the game by default according to Article 21 of the Official Basketball Rules. The game score shall stand as at the time the game stopped (53-89) because Australia was ahead in the score. Per the same rule, Australia will receive 2 points in the classification and the Philippines will still receive 1 point (as is the case when a team loses a game).

Following that particular incident, FIBA will now open disciplinary proceedings against both teams. The decision(s) will be communicated in the coming days.

Both Australia and Philippines will be in Group F of the Second Round of the Asian Qualifiers, which will begin in September.

FIBA