HAVING the safety of the participants and fans in mind, local collegiate basketball leagues decided to postpone scheduled matches as Typhoon Ompong wreaked havoc in the Philippines at the weekend.
With Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) packing very strong winds and gust, both the National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines decided to postpone to a later date games set for Friday to Sunday.
The NCAA was the first to shelve games, postponing those set to be played on Friday, Sept. 14.
Affected matches were those between the Arellano Chiefs (4-6) and San Sebastian Stags (3-9) at 12 noon, defending champions San Beda Red Lions (11-1) against Season 94 hosts Perpetual Help Altas (5-5) at 2 p.m., and the Letran Knights (7-4) versus College of St. Benilde (7-4) at 4 p.m. Venue was the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
In a statement released on Thursday night, Francisco Gusi, Jr., NCAA management committee and event chairman, said “with the suspension of classes in all levels in the City of Manila because of Typhoon Ompong,” the NCAA decided to suspend all games on Sept. 14.
The UAAP then followed suit, with UAAP president Nilo Ocampo of host National University initially postponing games set for Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, then moving to shelve games at the FilOil Flying V Centre as well set for Sunday, Sept. 16.
“After due consultation and considering what appears to be a severe weather disturbance, the UAAP deems it best for everyone’s interests to cancel the basketball games [this weekend],” a statement by Mr. Ocampo on Friday read.
Affected UAAP games were that between the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles against Far Eastern University Tamaraws (2 p.m.) and the Adamson Soaring Falcons (4 p.m.) on Sept. 15, and University of the East Red Warriors against NU (1 p.m.) and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons versus University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers (4 p.m.) on Sept. 16.
TANKOUA NCAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Meanwhile, San Beda’s Donald Tankoua was named NCAA player of the week after leading his team to a gutsy win over Letran, 74-68.
Had to deal with another ferocious comeback from the Knights, Tankoua helped steady the ship for the Lions in the end and preserve the win.
The Cameroonian had 19 points and nine rebounds. He beat out for the award, given by the league press corps, Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino, Mapua’s Laurenz Victoria, and San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
