THE PBA Commissioner’s Cup game between Barangay Ginebra and Phoenix was briefly interrupted as smoke covered parts of the general admission and upper box sections of the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The contest was stopped with 4:33 left in the first period and the Gin Kings leading, 21-17, when smoke started to become visible inside the Big Dome.
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According to league officials, a fire hit one of the concessionaire stands selling fries inside the venue. The fire was quickly put under control by Araneta Coliseum management.
After five minutes, the Ginebra-Phoenix was resumed.
Commissioner Willie Marcia personally went to the concessionaire stands and found out the smoke came from a burning electric griller that was immediately taken out of the store.
Several fans rushed to the nearest exits the moment the smoke reached the playing venue, but they came back right away when league officials announced over the public address system that the situation was already under control.
The minor incident brought back memories of an April 2022 incident when the Big Dome caught fire near the red gate during the Second Conference Grand Finals of the PBA 3x3.
Smoke filled the coliseum during the game, forcing the evacuationsof players, teams, and personnel.
The rest of the 3x3 contests were cancelled, while Game 6 of the Governors' Cup between Ginebra and Meralco slated later in the day was postponed for a later date owing to the safety concerns of teams, officials.
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