MUNTINLUPA and Navotas battled in a tense match that went to an extra five-minute stretch. But the game will have to be settled until the final day of the elimination round of the MPBL Datu Cup.
A broken rim at the Navotas Sports Complex forced MPBL officials to halt the game between the two squads with still 1:35 left in the first overtime with the Angelis Resort-backed Cagers leading, 98-95. Since the court is not playable, MPBL commissioner decided to reschedule the game and continue the remainder of the match on the final day of the elimination round.
“Bukod sa nasira ‘yung rim, madulas rin ‘yung sahig. Safety of our players should be given more importance.” Duremdes said.
Duremdes added that if in the final day of the eliminations the match won’t have any more bearing with the two teams, they will no longer continue the match.
“Kung may bearing pa, let’s say both teams are vying for a quotient or placing for the playoffs, we will continue the match with the remaining time and upholding the same score,” added Duremdes.
He added they will issue a memo to the team owners of the Navotas Clutch to improve the playing venue.
“They have to improve the playing venue. Otherwise, we will not hold any more games here,” added Duremdes. “If madulas ‘yung sahig, ‘yung mga players mag-iingat. It could either result to injuries or dahil sa kakaingat nila, magsa-suffer ‘yung quality ng games natin.”
The game, which went to overtime, was halted in the last 1:35 of the first OT, when a three-point shot by a Navotas hit the back of the rim and got broken. Michole Sorela’s putback that was contested by a Muntinlupa player, who partially held onto the net, caused more damage to the rim and the MPBL officials decided that the Navotas Sports Complex gym is not completely playable.
This is the second straight game that Muntinlupa’s match was rescheduled. More than a week ago, the Cagers were supposed to play the Pasig Pirates, but the match was postponed due to continuous heavy downpour and flooding in the metropolis.
Earlier, Bataan continued its streak, winning its fourth straight game by whipping the Imus Bandera, 95-85.
Byron Villarias, who had a brief stint playing for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA, finished with 25 points on a steady 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.
The win enabled the Zetapro-supported Risers to improve their win-loss record to 4-1, while dealing the GLC Truck and Equipment-sponsored Bandera their third loss in four matches.
