NLEX is all set to resume its Philippine Cup campaign in Pampanga and the Road Warriors’ eagerness is now being tinged by impatience and frustration.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao couldn’t understand why the PBA is taking its time in giving the go-signal to all the teams to proceed to Pampanga, settle there and start practices before resuming official games.
“What’s stopping us?” Guiao said.
“Di ko rin maintindihan kung bakit hindi pa kami magpunta roon samatalang iyong authorization puwede naman kami roon,” added Guiao.
What the seven-time champion coach was referring to was the official permission given by the IATF to the PBA for the pro league to resume its games in areas with lower quarantine levels than NCR, which is currently under ECQ at least until Aug. 20.
The PBA’s long-delayed 46th season finally kicked off last July 16 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig but the league was forced to temporarily suspend play last Aug. 4 due to the impending government restrictions that prohibit the operation and playing in indoor gyms within Metro Manila.
The PBA initially looked at Batangas as an alternate site but the league shifted its focus on Pampanga after the former was placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions.
As of last Friday, PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro said there is still no official permission from Pampanga.
That is what Guiao could not understand as he was given assurance by Pampanga Gov. Delfin “Delta” Pineda during their recent meeting that the league can proceed with its games.
“According to the IATF resolution, we can proceed as long as iyong lugar under GCQ or MGCQ. So, what’s stopping us?” Guiao said.
“Mayroon na rin kaming (nod from) LGU,” added Guiao. “Ako mismo kumausap kay Gov (Pineda). Sabi ko nga kay Gov, ‘Ipapasa kita sa PBA, kayo na mag-usap.’ Pero at least pumayag na siya.”
What sparked Guiao’s impatience was the fact his team last played July 25, a 108-94 win over Terrafirma and should be having a hard time keeping that sharp edge. “Mahirap mag-build up uli ng momentum kapag natigil, mag-u-umpisa ka ulit,” he explained.
“Building up momentum, conditioning mo, timing mo, mahirap,” added Guiao. “The longer it takes the harder it is. Kaya minamadali ko nga si (PBA) Commissioner (Willie Marcial), na kung puwede lang agarin na.”
Once the green light is given, NLEX is surely ready as it already has a practice facility of its own, aside from projected living quarters for what should be at least a month-long semi-bubble setup in the province.
“May suki na kami doon, sa Beverly Place,” related Guiao, referring to the practice gym in Mexico that the Road Warriors used when the teams were allowed to conduct full-contact practice in mid-May.
As for NLEX’s board and lodging? “Mayroong dalawang places kaming tinitingnan,” offered Guiao. “Lakeshore (also in Mexico) at may option din kami sa Clark, mga villas din.”
