A FIRE at the Araneta Coliseum caused by faulty wiring mothballed, for now, what could have been defending champion Ginebra’s march to the Promised Land or a series-tying win by Meralco yesterday.
Game 6 of the PBA Governors Cup finals was postponed after fire broke out at the Big Dome while the league’s 3×3 second conference grand finals were being played.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the safety of the players, the league, and the expected big crowd come first.
“Nakita naman natin iyong usok, talagang mahirap pa. Cancel muna ang Game 6 tonight.
Ililipat natin ang Game 6 sa Friday, sa MOA Arena, tapos tingnan natin kung saan ang Game 7 (if ever). Pag-uusapan namin pati iyong 3×3 kung kailan itutuloy ang grand finals ng 3×3,” Marcial said.
“As of now kahit na maalis natin ang usok after an hour or two delikado pa rin, delikado sa fans, delikado sa players, delikado sa atin. So, ang priority ko muna ay safety,” he added.
Game 6 will be played at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Smoke filled the Big Dome at around 11:30 a.m. People at the venue were promptly asked to leave and firefighters arrived shortly.
Although fire trucks had left the Big Dome hours before the 6 p.m. tiff, the PBA opted to call off the game.
Marcial apologized for the cancellation, saying: “Pasensya po pero hindi natin ginusto ito pero kailangan nating i-prioritize ang health and safety ng ating teams, players, staff, at fans.
“Ang sinabi sa akin ng Araneta (management), okay ang Bureau of Fire Protection na fire out and okay na maglaro tayo pero iyong usok, hindi makakabuti sa lahat.”
The league also said fans can refund their tickets.
“All Smart Araneta Coliseum Game Six ticket holders can refund their ticket purchases at the Big Dome’s ticketing office,” the league said in a statement.
Marcial said the league is working to find a possible venue for a Game 7, if necessary, this Sunday.
“May kausap na akong venues. Okay iyong mga venue na kausap ko. Gumawa na tayo ng Plan B,” he said.
“Puwedeng MOA Arena, puwedeng Philippine Arena, at ito (Araneta). Ang sabi nila (Araneta) ay kakausapin nila iyong management nila kasi alam ko may naka-book na.”
The Kings have a 3-2 lead and are bidding to bag their fourth crown in the last five editions of the season-ending tourney, while the Bolts are eyeing to extend the series to a knockout duel.
