source: gmanews.tv

It’s a rarity for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to hold a Monday game.

More so, in a championship match.

But the unavailability of the Araneta Coliseum and the poor ventilation at the alternative site, the Astrodome, have forced the league to schedule Game 5 of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel on a non-regular playing day.

Holding Monday games is not something new for the league, though. Just last April 20, it scheduled a twinbill at the Astrodome to kick off the 2009 All-Star Week.

However, this is the first time that the pro league has scheduled a championship game on a Monday.

“There is always a first time for everything. But there will be no substitute to the welfare of our fans," PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said.

Barrios revealed that the league considered holding the game at the Astrodome this Sunday, but during a routine check up, the maintenance staff of the arena discovered that four of the venue’s eight air conditioning blowers are down and repair couldn’t be completed in time for Game 5.

“There is a tremendous clamor for tickets for Game 5. And based on our assessment, the air conditioning system won’t hold up to the huge crowd that we are expecting," said Barrios.

“We always want our fans to watch the games as if they are in the comfort of their homes. Obviously, that’s not possible under the present situation at the Astrodome."

A wrestling extravaganza this Friday and the UAAP games on Saturday and Sunday have forced the league out of the Araneta Coliseum.

With no venue to play on, the PBA has to take a four-day break from the best-of-seven finals currently tied at 2-2 after the Beermen’s dramatic 106-104 win in Game 4 Wednesday night.

Barangay Ginebra is aiming to become the Fiesta Cup's first repeat champion since Red Bull in 2001.

PBA Fiesta Cup finals
Series tied, 2-2

Game 1: Ginebra def. SMB 102-96
Game 2: SMB def. Ginebra 95-78
Game 3: Ginebra def. SMB 116-103
Game 4: SMB def. Ginebra 106-104

Schedule:
Game 5: July 13, Araneta
Game 6: July 15, Araneta
Game 7 (if necessary): July 17, Araneta


PBA Finals Free Live Streaming
(San Miguel Vs. Ginebra)
http://tinyurl.com/PBALive

Jones Cup Free Live Streaming:
Justin.TV/teamRN
Justin.TV/JonesCup
JonesCup.TeamPilipinas.info
Fiba.TeamPilipinas.info