Halted NCAA game due to roof leak to resume on Monday

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The St. Benilde Blazers-Lyceum Pirates match in the NCAA season 89 men’s basketball tournament that was cut short due to heavy rains will resume on Monday exactly when it was stopped last October 10.

The league said on Thursday that although there are no existing rules, they made the decision to play only the last 18 minutes of the game based on the “practice in other league/tournament here and abroad.”

With 8:09 in the third quarter with the Pirates leading 32-31, the game was halted because of leaking rain from the roof at the Arena in San Juan threatened the safety of the players on the court.

“In the event that a game has started and then has to be called off due to force majeure such as, but not not limited to unsafe playing conditions, power outages, etc. while underway, the game shall be replayed in its entirety in the stoppage occurs during the halftime interval and beyond the end of the second half, the remaining playing time shall be played.”

The replay between The Blazers (5-11) and the Pirates (6-9), who are both already out of contention for a final four spot, is scheduled on Monday, 1 p.m. at the same venue.

The NCAA also announced the schedule for the remainder of the tournament, which has stretched even longer than usual due to a long lull for the Fiba Asia Championships and several weather-related game day cancellations.

The double header on October 26 marks the end of the elimination round, while the final four matches are scheduled on November 7 and 9. Game one of the finals is on November 11.

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