PHILIPPINES coach Chot Reyes has conceded he didn’t hear any Australian Boomers racially abuse his players during last week’s ugly brawl in Manila.

In an interview on SportsCenter Philippines, Reyes was asked if Australia’s players used derogatory terms to describe the Philippines players.

“No, I can say honestly that’s fake news,” Reyes said.

“I didn’t hear or didn’t have any notion that they were calling our players those terms at halftime, so I didn’t see it.”

This Reyes’ statement occurred before racism claims were made by freelance photojournalist, Winston Baltasar.

media_camera Nathan Sobey is set apon by two Philippines players. Picture: EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

In an interview with Australia’s ABC Radio program The Ticket, Baltasar said Australian players called Gilas Pilipinas players “monkey” during the game and before the fight.

Baltasar, however, could not identify which Australian players he heard using the racial slur.

The Australian Basketballers’ Association (ABA) and Basketball Australia released a joint statement on Sunday slamming the claims Baltasar alleged were made during the fight-marred game between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia at the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on July 2.

“We take these allegations against our players extremely seriously and are deeply disappointed the ABC should choose to publish them, Basketball Australia Chief Executive Anthony Moore said in the statement.

media_camera Philippines players, coaches and supporters attack Australian players. Picture: Getty

The fight resulted in 13 ejections. The Philippine and Australian basketball federations are awaiting further disciplinary action from FIBA.

“We did hear the word ‘monkey’ being thrown around ... I couldn’t hear exactly who said it, but I did hear it, and like I said when the Boomers were up by 30 points I don’t think words like that should be thrown around,” he said on the ABC.

The Australian Basketballers’ Association CEO and former Australian Boomer, Jacob Holmes, categorically refuted the claims made by Baltasar.

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“The allegations made by Mr Baltasar are unsubstantiated and highly defamatory and we are reviewing our legal avenues to address them,’’ Holmes said.

“The Boomers pride themselves on their inclusive and diverse composition, just like the country they represent and the comments made by Mr Baltasar and republished by the ABC have caused immense distress to our players.

“At no stage was Basketball Australia or the ABA contacted for comment before the allegations were published, in a clear breach of the ABC’s own editorial standards.”

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Anthony Moore said: “Australian basketball prides itself on being a diverse sport that embraces all sections of the community. We take these allegations against our players extremely seriously and are deeply disappointed the ABC should choose to publish them.”

The Boomers squad for the game in Manila included Milwaukee Bucks NBA player Thon Maker who came to Australia after fleeing the war-torn South Sudan.

World governing body FIBA has put together a disciplinary panel to handle the charges that will come out of the brawl which resulted in 13 players being ejected.

Australian guard Chris Goulding was punched, kicked and hit with a chair. His teammate Nathan Sobey was also struck with a chair and coward punched.

media_camera Daniel Kickert elbows Roger Pogoy. Picture: FIBA Telecast

A fake tweet trying to falsely paint Goulding as a racist was widely condemned in the aftermath of the incident.

The Philippines team accused Boomers forward Daniel Kickert of kicking Filipino players in the pre-game warm-up the game but vision clearly shows the home side instigated the incident by trying to trip Kickert.

Originally published as Filipino coach backs Aussies in racism row