IN a rare instance, the PBA held a game on All Saints' Day.
A championship game at that.
Game 3 of the Governors’ Cup title series between Barangay Ginebra and TNT was played on November 1 or commonly known as Undas when most Filipinos flock to the cemetery and pay respect to their dearly departed.
READ Surprise starter LA Tenorio sparks strong first half for Ginebra in Game 3
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the league had to schedule the game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum so as not to disrupt the planned preparation of Gilas Pilipinas for the second round of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers which the country will be hosting at the Mall of Asia Arena on Nov. 21.
“Para sa Gilas yun. Kung mag Game 7 kasi Nov. 10 ang tapos ng finals. So at least may two weeks pa to prepare yung team sa FIBA Asia Cup (qualifiers),” said Marcial.
Long-time league personnel including Marcial and chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III couldn’t recall if there ever was a game or games the PBA held on Nov. 1.
“Wala akong maalala. Tingin ko first time ito,” said Marcial who’s been in the league since 1984.
Gilas is set to host New Zealand on Nov. 21, followed by Hong Kong on Nov. 24.
The Philippines currently shares the lead in Group B with similar 2-0 records. It beat Hong Kong on the road, 94-64, and then routed Chinese Taipei at home, 106-53.
Members of the Gilas pool currently playing in the finals include naturalized player Justine Brownlee, Scottie Thompson, and Japeth Aguilar for Barangay Ginebra and Calvin Oftana for TNT.
Tim Cone will be coaching the national team while his Ginebra deputy Richard del Rosario acts as team manager.
Good thing, according to Marcial, super typhoon Leon didn’t hit the National Capital Region and already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
“Mabuti hindi natuloy yung bagyo kundi malamang usog ulit yung schedule natin, and mamo-move yung Gilas preparation,” said the commissioner. “Kung natuloy kasi yung bagyo, by Friday ang expected na ulan sa Metro Manila. Mabuti nga hindi naman nangyari.”
Incidentally, Friday was also the 54th birthday of Ginebra deputy coach Olsen Racela.
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