WAIT and see.
That’s what the PBA D-League is doing, patiently waiting for the resumption of the Aspirants’ Cup that was suspended indefinitely since March 11 due to the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro said the fate of season-opening tourney hinges largely on when collegiate leagues such as the NCAA and the UAAP will hold their season.
“Right now, as we all know most of the teams are collegiate teams. Actually, we are waiting for the two major leagues for their announcement of their return,” said Castro.
“From there, we’ll see in our calendar kung kailan namin pwedeng i-restart ang D-League,” he added.
The NCAA is eyeing to kick off its 96th season in May or June next year, while among the options the UAAP is mulling is to launch its 83rd season in early 2021.
There are 11 school-based squads in the 12-team D-League field, led by reigning NCAA champion Wangs-Letran. The others are Seaoil-Far Eastern University, Apex Fuel-San Sebastian College, ADG Dong-Mapua University, Diliman College, FamilyMart-Enderun, AMA Senior High, and Karate Kid-Centro Escolar University.
Until action was halted to stem the spread of the dreaded virus, Marinerong Pilipino, the lone club team in the tournament, along with school-based teams Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas and EcoOil-La Salle, were sporting 2-0 records.
Technological Institute of the Philippines, however, has ceased operations for all its varsity teams due to the financial woes caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Castro, also the pro league’s operations chief, assured the 12 teams that participation fees paid for the Aspirants’ Cup won’t lapse and they will be able to play when the tourney gets going anew.
“May initial talks na and we discussed it with the board already. All the teams will just have to continue iyong participation nila once we restart our D-League,” explained Castro. “Para siyang naka-deposit muna for the meantime.”