BATANGAS CITY - With the safety of the players its main concern, the PBA contemplated on stopping the Commissioner's Cup game between Barangay Ginebra and NLEX due to the slippery playing court at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Commissioner Willie Marcial talked to his staff about the matter at halftime with Ginebra leading, 50-42, in a game marred by slips and slides by players as the moist inside the oven-hot venue made the court slippery.
Stanley Pringle, making his Ginebra debut, Joe Devance, and import Tony Mitchell were among those who slipped badly during the game.
"May isa pang madulas na player puwedeng itigil na yung laro," said Marcial during the halftime break, explaining that under league rules, the chief crew is the one responsible of making the decision of calling off the game.
"Laro ulit yan from the start," added the commissioner of what would happen in the event the game was stopped.
Even in the first game, Rain or Shine also complained about the slippery floor especially after import Denzel Bowles appeared to have hurt his ankle following a fall.
Fortunately for the fans, the second half proceeded without incident and the game finished with a 100-85 Ginebra win over the Road Warriors.
“It was tough conditions tonight playing the second game. The first game is always a lot safer than the second game because of the crowd and all the humidity starts to get worse, the floor gets more slippery," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who was drenched in sweat the entire game.
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