Teams to follow per batch and scheduled training
Defending champion San Miguel Beer is ready to resume practice sessions, and head coach Leo Austria has already created batches and schedules for training Tuesday at the Acropolis gym.
Austria has divided his 16 players depending on position – guards and frontline – into four groups with a trainer each joining the workouts.
READ: SMB gets green light from Acropolis neighborhood to use gymnasium for practice
“Ayun ang ginawa namin, magkakasama yung guards tapos yung malalaki sila magkaka-group. For now ganun na muna kami, then we’ll see kung papaano sa mga susunod,” Austria said late Sunday.
This is the first time for SMB, and the other 11 PBA teams to return to practice following the cancellation of games and training by league chief Willie Marcial due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Professional athletes were given the green light to practice by the government under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) strict health guidelines composed of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Health (DOH).
The first group of SMB players start at 10 a.m and is made up of Marcio Lassiter, Terrence Romeo, Alex Cabagnot and Von Pessumal, followed by the 11 a.m. schedule of Mo Tautuaa, Russel Escoto and Billy Mamaril.
The third batch starting at 12 noon will be Arwind Santos, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Bam Gamalinda and rookie Daniel de Guzman, and the fourth group at 1 p.m. are Chris Ross, Paul Zamar, Gelo Alolino and rookie Wendell Comboy.
Austria said he will handle the first group, chief lieutenant Peter Martin on the second group, Dayong Mendoza for the third group and Boysie Zamar for the fourth.
“Siguro mag-shuffle kaming mga coaches after 10 days, sa ngayon yan na ang schedule naming every other day. We’ll see kasi after two weeks I think another swab test uli,” said Austria, whose team defeated Magnolia 94-78 when the PBA opened last March 8.
NLEX also has its schedule, and Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao it’s going to be mixed groupings of guards, forwards and centers at the FCL gym in Xavier Ville in Quezon City.
READ: NLEX coach Guiao hopes his wards will observe ‘dual bubble’
For the Monday-Wednesday-Friday morning practice, it’s Kiefer Ravena’s group with Asi Taulava, JR Quinahan and Kevin Alas, while in the afternoon are Kyles Lao, Kris Porter, Paul Varilla and Mike Miranda.
For the Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday sessions, it’s the group of Cyrus Baguio, Kenneth Ighalo, Philip Paniamogan and Jericho Cruz in the morning while in the afternoon are Raul Soyud, Bong Galanza, rookies Myke Ayonayon and Will McAloney.
“I’ll be going to their practice and observe. Sa ngayon wala pa yan e, kaya mga trainers na muna. In two weeks saka na pupunta yung ibang coaches naming to help,” said Guiao.
Other teams, like Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine, Meralco, and Blackwater are still finalizing their respective schedules in time for their return to practice session Wednesday.