DUE to massive flooding in Metro Manila, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has decided to cancel yesterday’s supposed double-header at the Araneta Coliseum.
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud announced the postponement yesterday morning.
The Alaska Aces were supposed to have their first assignment in the Governors’ Cup against the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, while the San Mig Coffee Mixers were also scheduled to play Globalport Batang Pier in the other game.
The canceled games were rescheduled to a later date.
If weather condition improves, games will resume on Friday where the Aces take on Batang Pier in the first game. The defending champions Rain or Shine Elasto Painters play against the Petron Blaze Boosters in the main game. Rain or Shine leads the standings with a 2-1 (win-loss) card followed by Talk ‘N Text, Air21, Barako Bull, Globalport, Meralco and Petron, which all have 1-1 records.
Barangay Ginebra totes a 0-1 slate, while San Mig is 0-2.
The massive flooding was caused by days of heavy rains spawned by the southwest monsoon also known as habagat.
According to authorities, the record rainfall submerged 60 percent of Metro Manila and many parts of Luzon and caused the suspension of work in government offices and the cancellation of classes in both public and private schools. Flights to and from Manila were also canceled.
A Philippine Daily Inquirer report said eight deaths were so far reported including infants who drowned as state weather bureau officials said that the weather disturbance dumped a month’s worth of rain in one day.
The southwest monsoon was intensified by Tropical Storm “Maring” which, according to the Inquirer, was slowly inching its way out of the country’s area of responsibility. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA