2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifying: Australia and Philippines get into brawl

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02:44

Another international basketball game continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. A massive, bench-clearing brawl broke out in a game between Australia and the Philippines on Monday that took officials nearly 30 minutes to bring under control. I must warn you that some of the video you are about to see may be disturbing. Greg Navarro has more.

Late in the 3rd quarter with Australia comfortably leading the home team in World Cup 2019 Asian qualifier, an apparent foul, a cheap shot and then this. Players, team officials, and fans rushed to jump in.

LUC LONGLEY AUSTRALIA ASSISTANT COACH "Well, I went onto the court to protect our guys and found with the idea of obviously not hurting anyone, just getting my big body in the way."

A sickening display of violence that included a chair thrown, and a player being beaten while on the ground.

ANDREJ LEMANIS AUSTRALIA COACH "Players, at the end of the day, feared for how we were going to get out of there."

The entire incident serious enough to prompt a response from the Philippines's government.

HARRY ROQUE PHILIPPINES PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON "In the 52 years that I've spent in this existence, that's the worst I've seen, at least here in the Philippines. We see that in other countries, but really not in the Philippines."

It took match officials more than half an hour to bring the incident under control. Thirteen players, including 4 Australians, were ejected - the game eventually called off.

VINCENT REYES PHILIPPINES COACH "Violence has no place in basketball, but neither does bullying. Bullying has no place in basketball as well."

Australia's team returned home to an army of cameras. Some members weren't willing to talk. Others didn't hold back citing the opposing coach, and an apparent selfie taken after the game.

LUC LONGLEY AUSTRALIA ASSISTANT COACH "I do believe that their (Philippines) coach Chot Reyes incited them to come out and thug us. I think there's evidence of that, video evidence of that."

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "Australia's basketball team has enjoyed some success on the international stage and produced some world class players over the years. The concern now is how the incident will impact those efforts."

ANTHONY MOORE BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA CEO "This is major news all over the world. If you're following social media and NBA followers, there's a lot of commentary around this so reputationally, we've taken a hit, there's no question."

Amazingly, there were no serious injuries. Basketball's governing body has launched its own investigation which could result in fines, suspensions, and possibly see the Philippines stripped of its rights to host the 2023 World Cup. Greg Navarro, CGTN.