By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

GAMES in the World Organized Rocball Community League and the Coalition of Private Schools’ middle school basketball tournament were called off yesterday, as classes were suspended to due haze cause by the by the gas and steam fumes emitted by the Anatahan volcano.
The continuation of the Kich Fairo-Dublon Chiefs tiff at the Marianas High School Gym was cancelled with the latter leading, 40-30, midway in the third set.
The first two and half sets of their game were played last Monday. Kich Fairo took the first set with a 17-13 victory. The Dublon Chiefs recovered in the second set, 17-7, and grabbed the driver’s seat after taking a 10-6 lead in the third set.
Both teams needed the victory to remain in contention for a semifinals tickets.
The Dublon Chiefs are holding a 1-2 record, while Kich Fairo has yet to enter the win column in the second round of the tournament after two games.
The match may resume tomorrow if classes are not postponed anew.
The Emergency Management Office in an interview with the Variety (see related story) said they don’t know how long the haze will continue to appear in the skies, but assured the public that no signs of an Anatahan eruption have been observed so far.
Two weeks ago during the opening of the 2007 Saipan Little League Baseball tournament, the Red Sox-Ol’Aces I game was called off due to the haze. The haze appeared again last Sunday.
In the private school caging, Division of Sports and Recreation Director Joe Lizama said that organizers of the middle school basketball tournament called his office yesterday morning to inform him of the cancellation of the games at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Three matches in the boys’ division were supposed to be played yesterday.
Whispering Palms was to meet Saipan International School, while Marianas Baptist Academy was to face Grace Christian Academy.
The other game was to feature Saipan Community School battling Mt. Carmel School.