ONCE again, the coronavirus disease has the PBA in its unforgiving grip, and the pro league must act.
The PBA Board convened in a special online meeting yesterday to chart the direction it is taking amidst the restrictions being enforced by the government due to the ongoing rise in COVID cases.
“We will assess the situation, titingnan namin kung ano makakabuti sa PBA,” Commissioner Willie Marcial said hours before the meeting.
Most of the 12 governors refused to say what their stand would be, but one, speaking on anonymity, told Malaya-Business Insight some are inclined to halt play until the uptick in infections stabilizes.
“Nag-uusap-usap na kami, although informally, and the thinking is itigil muna laro beyond this week,” said the long-time team representative.
“Marami kasi kaming players, especially those na may pamilya, na ninenerbiyos. Walang sigurado dito sa virus and kahit ano’ng pag-iingat gawin mo kapag nadale ka pati pamilya mo, asawa, anak, ma-jeopardize din,” he added. “Meron din d’yan na baka hindi maglaro at kung maglaro man baka wala utak sa laro.”
Another governor said he is inclined to just wait until Jan. 15 and see what the government’s next move would be.
“By the 15th mas may clearer idea na siguro tayo and then the league could then take the cue from the government announcement,” said the team representative.
“Kapag nagluwag then good kasi we can proceed,” he added. “Pero kapag Alert Level 3 pa rin or worse, then that would be the time for the PBA to implement its contingency plans, like going on another bubble set-up.”
Play in the season-ending Governors Cup has been suspended from Jan. 5 to 9 after the government placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3-15 following a major rise in infections.
After Marcial’s clarificatory talks with the Games and Amusement Board earlier this week, the PBA gained permission to continue play, but only under a full bubble set-up.
The GAB reminder also contains the proviso that fans would be allowed to watch the games—but only if the host LGU allows it.
As it is, the 12 PBA teams have been barred from conducting scrimmages while being limited to non-contact workouts involving only five players per session.
Most of the teams are now eyeing to hold their full practices in areas with lower alert level status.
Magnolia, San Miguel Beer, Blackwater and NorthPort are but some of the teams looking to shift their practice venues to either Pampanga or Batangas.
A PBA insider pointed out that even that out-of-town route would be denied the teams should the governors decide to stretch the games’ cancellation.
“As of now, puwedeng ‘yung mga teams magpunta sa Alert Level 2 para doon mag-full practice,” said the source. “Pero kung ang direksyon ng liga ihinto muna mga laro, pati practice wala. Individual workouts lang, kasi nga pinipigilan ‘yung magkasama-sama.”
