PBA teams eyeing to conduct their pre-season practices elsewhere may have to re-think those plans.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said there is a possibility that Batangas City may end up not only as a practice venue but host of at least the early stages of the pro league’s season-opening Philippine Cup.
“Titingnan natin kung ano sitwasyon,” Marcial said in One Sports’ The Game ahead of his visit to Batangas City today where he will meet anew with city officials to finalize protocols and other details of team practices.
City Mayor Beverley Dimacuha and Rep. Marvey Marino have given the nod for all PBA teams to hold practices in the provincial capital, which is currently under GCQ.
“Kung successful naman at pinapayagan tayo ng (Inter-Agency) Task Force na mag-scrimmages du’n, tatanungin na din natin kung pu’wede din na baka maglaro ng season or ng conference,” Marcial said. “Kahit isang conference or one to two months.”
The likes of San Miguel Beer and Magnolia reportedly head the list of six teams ready to hold practice in Batangas once the IATF gives the green light.
One team initially training its sights elsewhere but is now forced to re-evaluate its plans is NLEX.
Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao has admitted he is looking at sites in Central Luzon and even faraway north as potential practice venues.
“We’re looking at three venues sa northern area which are under modified general community quarantine: (MGCQ),” Guiao said in the squad’s official website, http://arangkadnlex.com.
“Ilocos Norte, Subic and Clark are some of those areas we’re considering, but there’s no definite decision yet,” added Guiao, also the team’s general manager.
“Nakadepende ‘yan kung saan mas madali magpa-approve ng permits at paperwork with the LGU and appropriate agencies in our desire to hold practices.”
Marcial had earlier said that all teams practicing in Batangas would be more convenient since it would be the league that would handle all the needed paperwork.
Last Wednesday, Marcial added that his hometown being host of the PBA tournament, at least partially, still depends on the COVID-19 situation in the country, particularly within the so-called NCR Plus.
Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga and Laguna are currently on an extended MECQ status until May 14, forcing the PBA to look at areas under more relaxed quarantine levels to hold practices.
Even Batangas City being host of at least the practices depends on whether the IATF allows it.
Marcial has already written the IATF a letter seeking permission for the practices expects a reply by May 16 at the latest. He also hopes the Philippine Cup would be able to start in mid-June.
