THE PBA got a very welcome break yesterday and should see the Governors Cup resume as early as Feb. 11.
No less than PBA commissioner Willie Marcial laid out the positive scenario after news broke out that Metro Manila is among the areas reverting to Alert Level 2 starting tomorrow.
A memorandum from the Commissioner’s Office will also be handed out to all 12 teams by today for the official start of scrimmages by Feb. 1 and the games to resume 10 days after.
“Very welcome ‘yung decision ng IATF na ibalik tayo sa Alert 2 and nakahanda na ‘yung memo para sa mga teams,” said Marcial.
Shortly after playing out its last games on Dec. 26 the PBA has suspended all its operations when Alert Level 3 was enforced in the Metro due to the surge in COVID cases following the holidays.
Marcial has been told that MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos is set to endorse to the concerned local government units the PBA’s request to be allowed to practice and play in their respective areas.
“Kausap ko lang si Chairman Abalos and magbibigay na siya ng endorsement sa mga LGU’s, maybe by tomorrow,” related Marcial.
“Pero naging moot and academic na iyong request since sa Alert Level 2 kasi hindi na natin kailangan endorsement.” added Marcial. “P’wede na tayo, both practices and games.”
Stringent health and safety protocols would remain in place, Marcial stressed. “Kailangan magsimula na sila ng testing para kapag nakuha natin green light p’wede na silang magsimula agad,” he said.
“Tapos, kailangan may antigen (testing) sila bago sila magsimula ng practice, sa bawat araw,” added Marcial.
“After that, kapag maglalaro na tayo, balik ulit tayo sa cycle na every Monday ang swab testing natin, hintay resulta ng Tuesday and then Wednesdays to Sundays din ang mga laro natin.”
Should things go as planned the tournament would finish around Holy Week, depending on how the playoffs go.
“Kapag nagkasagaran, ‘yung mga quarterfinals, semis and finals, baka Palm Sunday (April 10) tapos na tayo o kaya sa linggo na iyon,” said Marcial.
