THE PBA’s season-ending Governors Cup may start a little later than expected, but that is something the pro league can endure should a cherished dream be realized.
Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday said he expects the IATF to soon grant the league’s request for fans to be allowed in the playing venue, which hasn’t happened since the pandemic struck early last year.
“Ang pinag-uusapan na lang ngayon, kung may fans,” Marcial told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday. “Hihilingin ko sa IATF may fans. Sa tingin ko, papayagan tayo.”
What bolsters Marcial’s optimism is the continued decline in COVID cases in the country, specifically Metro Manila. The government last week downgraded NCR’s quarantine classification to Alert Level 2, the second-lowest in the five-tier alert level system, until Nov. 21.
The alert level could even be eased down to the minimum by Nov. 22, or about a week before the last PBA tournament for the year starts.
The PBA has initially set Nov. 28 as the kickoff date of the import-laced tournament, but that may be moved back at least a week should some of the 12 ballclubs fail to bring in their reinforcements in time due to difficulties in the process, mainly on booking and quarantine protocols that have to be followed.
“Alangan namang mag-start tayo ng may kulang, di ba? Mayroong magkakaroon ng disadvantage,” said Marcial. “Pero pag kumpleto na lahat by Nov. 28 laro na tayo noon.”
All the plans are dependent on the COVID situation by that time.
“Basta tuloy lang ang baba ng mga kaso, malamang na payagan tayo,” said Marcial. “Basta huwag lang tumaas ‘yung mga kaso. Pag tumaas, baka pati PBA biglang mag-bubble ulit. Sana huwag.”
Under a previous permit from the IATF, the PBA can return to the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, where the season-opening Philippine Cup was initially played before being forced by the spike in COVID cases in Metro Manila to finish in a semi-bubble setting in Bacolor, Pampanga.
With the latest alert classification, partial live audiences in basketball venues could be allowed and that is what Marcial would request to the IATF once the government body grants a meeting with him and his team.
To help bolster the PBA plea before the IATF, Marcial also shared that he plans to bring with him the renowned Dr. George Canlas, the league’s medical consultant, in that meeting.
“Ilalatag na lang namin kung papaano mga safety and health protocols,” explained Marcial.
“One, kailangan fully vaccinated mga fans. Tapos, ilan p’wedeng papasukin, gaano kalayo mga seating, mga disinfection procedures, ganoon.”
Marcial also said they plan to finish the tournament by March, if games are played daily from Wednesday to Sunday. Mondays would be reserved for swab testing and Tuesdays for the results, like what was done in Bacolor
“Puwede na nga tayong wala noong tests, pero gusto ko pa rin para safe talaga lahat,” said Marcial. “Pati ‘yung pre-game antigen (tests) gusto ko pa rin.”
