THE PBA initially looked at Pampanga as a temporary alternate venue for the Philippine Cup, but that projection may just change.
According to Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, the season-opening conference may just wind up in the same province where the Philippine Cup was staged last year since there is little hope the restrictions forced by the pandemic in the National Capital Region would ease up any time soon.
“Once the classification here in the NCR improves, we’re definitely coming back here,” Castro, also the PBA’s operations chief, told Malaya-Business Insight.
“But we don’t see our (quarantine) classification going two steps down,” added Castro.
“From ECQ most likely, MECQ, then GCQ with some restrictions anew. So most likely baka magtagal pa tayo doon and baka doon na rin tayo magtapos (ng Philippine Cup), sa Pampanga.”
The Big City being placed in the highest quarantine classification of ECQ forced the PBA to halt play after 26 games at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, with the league allowed to play only in areas under normal GCQ or MGCQ.
Originally considered as alternate venue was Batangas. But since that province was placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions the league shifted its sights to Pampanga, which is currently under MGCQ.
Castro added they are waiting for Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda and Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin for official word on the PBA’s request to play there.
“We have submitted our letter of request to them already, along with a copy of the IATF resolution,” Castro said. “Right now, initial talks pa lang with them and we’re waiting for their official response.”
In anticipation of a favorable response, Castro and his team have conducted an ocular inspection of the facilities that could be used as practice and game venues, foremost of them the Angeles University Foundation gym, which hosted last year’s lone conference.
“Kasama AUF and some possible practice venues for the teams kasi kailangan tabla,” said Castro. “Then in our meeting with the team managers last Monday we presented to them the rates. Hindi pa sure kung kakagatin nila kasi ‘yung iba mahal.”
Per a previous agreement, the PBA teams will shoulder the cost of their accommodations and practice facilities in any province the games would be played in.
“It will be up to them which venue they will choose for practices as well as their living quarters,” said Castro.
