THE PBA is laying down iron-clad rules that all teams need to follow to ensure their practice sessions are held without any hassle.
Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday said he is awaiting approval from the Games and Amusements Board on the proposed health and safety protocols to be followed in the practices but has already forwarded a copy to each of the 12 PBA teams
“Nag-usap na kami ni (GAB) chairman (Baham) Mitra and sinulatan ko na rin siya,” Marcial related to Malaya-Business Insight. “Hinihintay ko na lang ang kanyang response.”
Marcial was also set to meet with the coaches and team managers of the teams yesterday afternoon to explain the protocols and, at the same time, get their feedback.
“I will explain sa kanila,” Marcial said. “Baka kasi may mga tanong sila.”
After months of relative inactivity, PBA teams were given permission by the IATF to conduct full-contact scrimmages last Friday.
The practices could begin as early as Monday next week and Marcial is hoping they would be glitch-free that would lead to the PBA being allowed to start its long-delayed 46th season by mid-June.
“Isang matinding kaso lang baka hindi tayo payagan,” noted Marcial. “Eto (practices) na ‘yung parang ultimate test natin para tayo makapag-simula na ng season.”
To help ensure trouble-free practices, Marcial laid down rules that are slightly different from the ones followed in last year’s Philippine Cup bubble in Pampanga.
“Iba ngayon kasi closed circuit,” said Marcial, referring to the home-venue-home routine the players and other team personnel must follow.
“Karamihan ng rules natin ngayon ganu’n din (like in the bubble) pero iba ‘yung ilan.”
Among the few rules Marcial let on are involve testing procedures.
“Bago mag-start test na. Then pag pumasok na sa practices every 10 days na cycle ng testing,” he said.
Another innovation is that all the players and team personnel must download and log in to the apps generated by the league to track their movements and contacts.
“Para alam natin kung saan pumupunta o sino pumupunta,” explained Marcial.
This early, the usually amiable commissioner has issued a fair warning to all the teams.
“Kailangan talaga, honesty. Huwag lang silang mahuhuli namin, halimbawa lumabas in public o nakipag-inuman, pag nahuli namin suspension, fine or both,” said Marcial. “Ganu’n sinabi namin sa Task Force na gagawin namin at dapat lahat sumunod.”
