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 STATEMENT
A 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

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