RIVALS Barangay Ginebra and Meralco got extra time to plot for the clincher and equalizer, respectively, as Game 6 of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals was pushed to Friday due to a fire-related incident at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
The re-set pivotal match will be played at the MOA Arena, which has been previously booked by the PBA on that day for Game 7, if necessary.
A fire in the air-handling unit of the Big Dome broke out on Wednesday morning, covering the court with smoke while the league’s 3×3 Second Conference Grand Finals games were ongoing. As a result, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 3×3 suspended play “until further notice.”
Authorities declared a “fire out” around 1 p.m. but the pro league wouldn’t risk it and still called off last night’s Ginebra-Meralco tussle.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, who announced the postponement of the 6 p.m. tiff after personally inspecting the venue.
With the rescheduling of Game 6, the PBA is now shopping around for a venue for the seventh match in case the Gin Kings and the Bolts go into a do-or-die. Ginebra currently holds a 3-2 lead in the race-to-four contest.
Also up to be determined are the new schedule and site for the resumption of the PBA 3×3 conference championship.
The standalone three-a-side hoopfest managed to hold five games in pool play before the stoppage of play.
Only the Pool A slates were completed with the Sista Super Sealers sweeping their two assignments and Pioneer Pro Tibay going 1-1 to claim tickets to the quarterfinal round.
Jan Jamon knocked down the winning two-pointer twice as Sista scored pulsating overtime victories over Pioneer, 19-17, and Purefoods, 20-19. Pioneer rebounded with a 21-16 verdict over the Titans, to advance as Pool A’s No. 2.
In Pool B, Barangay Ginebra turned back Terrafirma, 22-18, for 1-0 while the Dyip improved to 1-1 at the expense of Platinum Karaoke.
The Gin Kings and Platinum were supposed to slug it out in the last game of the elims when action was halted.
ARANETA GROUP’S STATEMENTA fire incident occured at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the PBA 3×3 game this morning. Everyone inside the venue was immediately evacuated.
Fire was put out at 1:08 pm. No damages or injuries were reported. The management extends its gratitude to the Bureau of Fire Protection for the quick response.
To ensure everyone’s safety, the scheduled PBA Finals Game 6 today is postponed to give way to security checks. All ticketholders are advised to stand by for refund details from TicketNet. We apologize for the inconvenience. — Olmin Leyba