The legendary Big Dome was engulfed in flames after a fire broke out due to faulty wiring, and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial was forced to postpone game 6 of the PBA Governors Cup Finals to Friday. —DENISON REY A. DALUPANG
Despite a fire that broke out in part of the Smart Araneta Coliseum due to faulty wiring that forced the PBA Commissioner’s Office to cancel game 6 of the Governors Cup Finals at 11 a.m. Wednesday, league chief Willie Marcial still very grateful. .
“We’ve been through some really low times over the past two years [because of the COVID-19 pandemic],” Marcial told the Inquirer. “But this conference has really cemented our belief that the PBA remains the #1 sports entertainment vehicle in the country based on the fan response when we opened our doors. [to live attendance] Again.”
“Good God has truly blessed our tournament,” continued Marcial. “The fans are incredible and I thank them, and of course, our board of directors for their continued support.”
Records of the pandemic era
PBA is really going through a rejuvenation as the crowds have poured in. The best of seven titles between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco continue to draw fans to locations as pandemic-era records are being broken by the game.
“It just goes to show the Filipinos’ continued love for basketball and their appreciation for the kind of action the PBA can deliver,” said Marcial, who stressed that everyone’s safety was his top consideration when postponing a potential title match. for the Gin kings.
A faulty Big Dome’s ventilation system near its Red Gate caused the fire. The thick, choking smoke then made its way to the stands and to the center court, where the federation was hosting the billiards match of the 3×3 tournament, which also had to be halted.
“Even if we could get rid of all that smoke, even after an hour or two, I think it’s still dangerous,” Marcial said. “It won’t be safe for the fans, not safe for the players, and not safe for [league’s staff]. My priority is everyone’s safety.”
Marcial doesn’t think the delay will stop the momentum of the crowd watching the final game — or games — of the fiercely contested series that led the kings, 3-2.
Almost overflow
Willie Marcial — PHOTO FILE NOTE
From the fanless pre-match until near the end of last year, the Finals were played in front of an average attendance of 15,271 fans.
The two most recent games have seen incredible attendance, with Game 4, 95-84 Ginebra wins That built into the success of the series, which had 17,298 fans, and Game 5, which had 18,251 fans at the cave Big Dome in Cubao, Quezon City.
Game 3 really started to explode like a 83-74 Meralco wins was witnessed by 16,104 souls.
“It really gives me goosebumps seeing the fans back,” Marcial said. “That’s why we (the PBA board) continued to run the league even during the pandemic because we know we owe it to the fans who have been with us no matter what. .
“Everybody is eager to watch the final games of the season, so I’m really looking forward to another crowded night,” he said with a laugh.
Under Marcial’s leadership, the PBA has faced a series of tests — from pandemic shutdowns and the migration of top prospects to neighboring Asian leagues. So let’s count on Asia’s pioneering pro league treating the postponement of game 6 as just a small speed bump.
The pandemic stagnation has been a devastating event as the Commissioner’s Office has literally emptied its bank accounts and forced some employees’ pay cuts to get through.
The players also took a 20% pay cut at one point, but people continued with some of the league’s famous stars, even telling Marcial that they were willing to shoulder some of the daily costs. day.
Marcial said: “I did not lose hope. “If we can get through the pandemic, we can do anything. As long as the fans are there, we will continue to fight.”
And judging from the way Ginebra and Meralco have played in this series, the league will have a great end to its 46th Season regardless of who wins. INQ
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