A fire the started from the red gate of the Araneta Coliseum prompted the postponement of PBA 3x3 Grand Finals
The Grand Finals of the second PBA 3×3 conference has been postponed after fire started to spread inside the Araneta Coliseum today.
Accounts said that the incident occurred on the Red Gate side of the venue during the Platinum Karaoke and Ginebra match, which prompted fans and players to be asked to vacate the place before the situation worsens.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said all 3×3 teams who qualified for the Grand Finals were told to go home as smoke filled the arena and halted play.
However, according to volunteer group TXTFIREPH, the fire was put under control as of 12:41 p.m.
Ginebra and Platinum Karaoke were set to play one another for the conclusion of pool play until the evacuation.
Before the incident, the Sista Super Sealers and Pioneer Pro Tibay clinched their respective quarterfinals berths in the tournament, receiving a grand prize of P750,000.
With Sista sweeping Pool A with close victories over Pioneer, 19-17, and the Purefoods TJ Titans, 20-19 and Pioneer securing the last quarterfinals slot up for grabs in Pool A with a 1-1 record following a 21-16 win over Purefoods, with the TJ Titans crashing out of contention with a 0-2 slate.
The PBA also has decided to postpone Game 6 of the Governors' Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco announcing that they are postponing the game "with the safety of all in mind” through a post in their social media accounts.
The Gin Kings currently have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and can clinch the championship if they win their next match.
Game 6 is rescheduled on April 22, Friday at 6PM, moving to Pasay at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ticket holders can get a refund at the Araneta Coliseum's ticketing office.
Tags: #firehitsAranetaColiseum, #PBA, #basketball, #sports