In keeping with its policy that welfare of the fans is optimum priority,
the PBA has decided to extend the championship break of Barangay Ginebra
and San Miguel Beer and resume the Finals of the 2009 Motolite PBA
Fiesta conference on Monday.
As per schedule, today marks a break in the best-of-seven series between
the Kings and the Beermen with the pivotal Game 5 supposedly set for
Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
But the unforeseen got in the way, spoiling the thrilling showdown
between two of the league's most popular clubs.
During a routine check in preparation for Sunday's event, maintenance
staff of the Astrodome discovered that four of the venue's eight air
conditioning blowers are down and repair couldn't be completed in time
for Game 5.
"There is a tremendous clamor for tickets for Game 5. And based on our
assessment, the air conditioning system won't hold up to the huge crowd
that we are expecting," said PBA commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios.
"We always want our fans to watch the games as if they are in the
comfort of their homes. Obviously, that's not possible under the present
situation at the Astrodome."
The league would have loved to hold Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum
because it would also be able address the huge demand for tickets but
the Big Dome has been booked by the UAAP for Saturday and Sunday.
Holding games on a Monday is not something new for the PBA. Just last
April 20, it scheduled a twinbill at the Cuneta Astrodome to kick off
the 2009 All-Star Week.
This is the first time though that the league has scheduled a
championship game on a Monday.
"There is always a first time for everything. But there will be no
substitute to the welfare of our fans," Barrios said.
The series is tied at 2-2 with the defending champion Kings aiming to
become the first repeat champs since Red Bull in 2001.
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