PBA commissioner Willie Marcial is up and about very early these past few days, checking on the weather every now and then.
In a day's time, the commissioner will have to make a crucial decision on Game Five of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup Finals, which is scheduled on Wednesday amid the threat of a tropical depression dumping more rain on an already flooded Metro Manila.
READ MPBL cancels Tuesday, Wednesday games due to heavy rains, floods
Wednesday's game was supposed to witness San Miguel going for the jugular against TNT on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, but it may have to wait if the torrential rains that have hit the metro the past few days persist.
"Syempre hindi ka rin mapakali, so I'm checking the weather all the time," said Marcial when contacted on Tuesday afternoon by SPIN.ph. "Kanina, I also have to make a decision kung papupuntahin pa ba sa office ang PBA staff."
Will he postpone or will he push through with Game 5?
Marcial said he will make that decision at past noon on Wednesday, approaching that dilemma the same way mayors deal with the choice on whether to cancel classes or not in the face of the threat of an incoming typhoon.
"Hindi pwedeng masyadong maaga, kasi baka hindi umuulan nung mag-desisyon ka ng umaga tapos biglang umulan ng malakas sa hapon, kawawa naman ang mga teams at mga fans syempre,' said the longtime league executive.
"Hindi mo rin pwedeng sabihing di tuloy sa umaga, pero biglang umaraw ng hapon. We've had experiences like that dati," Marcial added.
Marcial said the decision is not easy to make since there are a lot of factors to consider: the safety of the teams and the fans; logistical issues, and the problem of booking a new venue in case the PBA Finals goes to a Game 7.
Then there's the impact of a postponement on a Gilas Pilipinas team that has started preparations for the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 set to be held from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A postponement, Marcial said, will further eat up on the already small window for Gilas' preparation for the Asian championships.
The national team is set to leave on July 30. If Game 5 is postponed and the best-of-seven finals ends up going the distance, Gilas may have to leave without the benefit of practice with SMB's June Mar Fajardo and Cjay Perez and Calvin Oftana of TNT.
So Marcial will have to pray for fine weather on Wednesday, although Malacanang has already cancelled work for government officials and classes in all levels for the day in anticipation of more bad weather,
The MPBL has also cancelled its Wednesday games in Bataan.
"We have to weigh it carefully," said Marcial. "Kawawa naman 'yung mga fans, lalo na yung mga galing pang probinsiya and have already made travel plans to watch Game 5. But also, kailangan mo i-consider ang kanilang safety."
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