THERE is welcome news for teams still searching for venues to hold their PBA pre-season practices.
Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday said he is seriously considering moving back the season start to June 25, 10 days later than the former target date, and has already broached the idea to some team representatives.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila baka mag-simula tayo after FIBA,” Marcial told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday, referring to the tournament set June 16-20 at Clark serving as qualifier for the FIBA Asia Cup.
“Malamang iyon na start natin,” added Marcial. “Tapusin ko na muna para walang conflict sa schedule, sa TV coveror, lahat.”
Marcial also said he will formally raise the matter for the PBA Board’s approval in their regular meeting later this month.
That should come as a pleasant surprise for teams still looking for places to practice in, a search spurred when Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite were placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions until the end of this month.
The IATF has allowed pro teams to practice in areas under GCQ or MGCQ, but the accompanying restrictions prohibit the use of indoor venues like gyms.
Meralco and TNT have both accepted the invitation of Ilocos Norte to hold their practices under a bubble concept in Laoag City while sister team NLEX is headed to Subic. Both Ilocos Norte and Zambales are under GCQ.
Batangas City, which has been under GCQ and has opened its doors to PBA teams, remains open but Marcial said any ballclub mulling that option must decide soon.
“Ma-de-delay sila sa start ng practices nila,” Marcial pointed out.
“Kasi humingi ang Batangas ng four to five days para i-prepara mga tao nila, para sa swab test, ganoon,” added Marcial.
“So kung mamaya o bukas pa mag-de-decide ‘yung mga teams, pinakamaaga nilang puwedeng mag-start Huwebes o Biyernes.”
Marcial admitted he could understand why the teams, including four that have signified their intention to practice in Batangas, are taking their time before deciding.
“Kasi ang akala nila pu-pwede na sa Metro Manila pagka nag-GCQ,” explained Marcial. “Nag-GCQ nga, pero may heightened restrictions naman.”
Some teams are reportedly trying their luck by asking for the required permit from the local government unit within Metro Manila.
“Kung makakakuha sila permit mula sa LGU, good. Pero duda ako doon,” said Marcial.
“Mukhang mahihirapan sila kung ipipilit nila dito sa Metro.”
