THE PBA is taking its own initiative in the government’s efforts to impede the spread of a lethal coronavirus variant by temporarily suspending its games starting today.
In a statement issued yesterday morning, the pro league said its move is in support of the government, which is trying to head off the rise of the pandemic’s Delta variant by placing certain areas in stricter quarantine levels for two weeks starting THIS Friday.
Foremost among those areas is the National Capital Region, which includes Pasig, where the current Philippine Cup games are being played. Such restrictions prevent the operation of indoor sporting venues.
“Isang paraan itong kailangang gawin para makatulong tayo sa gobyerno sa layunin nitong maiwasan ang pagkalat ng Delta,” Commissioner Willie Marcial told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.“Isa na naman itong sakripisyo, pero hindi lang naman tayo ang kailangang magtiis. Mas marami rin tayong mga kababayan na maapektuhan.”
The suspension starts with today’s tripleheader.
Marcial said the postponement may not last long should the league be given clearance by the IATF to transfer its games to Lipa, Batangas, which is under a less stringent quarantine level.
Marcial has written the IATF a letter of request for the transfer of games Monday of last week in anticipation of the government’s move to place NCR under a veritable lockdown. A response is expected as early as this afternoon.
“Kapag pinayagan tayong maglaro sa Lipa, puwede na tayong mag-umpisa doon over the weekend,” said Marcial. “Pero kapag na-deny, kailangan nating maghintay ng dalawang linggo.”
The PBA statement:
The PBAis temporarily suspending its Philippine Cup games starting August 4 – Wednesday in support of the government’s directive in addressing the unwanted rise of COVID-19 Delta variant infections, and its announcement of placing the National Capital Region (NCR) under GCQ with heightened and additional restrictions from July 30 to August 5.
The league is waiting for the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF EID) decision regarding its request to temporarily transfer and continue its games in Lipa, Batangas as NCR will be under ECQ, the strictest quarantine status, from August 6 to 20.
