Aussies praised for basketball brawl restraint

Boomers basketballer Chris Goulding is speaks to the media as he leaves Melbourne Airport. Photo / Getty

Basketball Australia chairman Ned Coten has praised the restraint of Boomers players in the aftermath of the brawl during their World Cup qualifier against the Philippines.

The team arrived in Melbourne from Manila this morning but players were too tired to speak.

Coten said the international body (FIBA) needed top go though a process over the incident.

"Obviously in any sporting environment we want to see sport as something that brings people together,'' he told news.com.

"All of us accept there is a level of responsibility when you enter any professional environment and the actions were out of character for a lot of players.

"I don't think anyone is shying away from the level of responsibility.

"It was an important game and so both teams were looking forward to playing."

Coten said some of the players' actions were "out of character" but praised them for their discipline in staying together during the ugly fight.

As FIBA begin their investigation into the incident, Coten praised the restraint shown by the playing group.

"The situation that occurred in Manila at the game was very unfortunate, Basketball Australia certainly accepts a level of responsibility for the things that happened, as do the players," Coten said.

"We're extremely supportive of the playing group and the players and the management, it was out of character for our players to act in the way that they did, but we are very proud of the way our group showed restraint."