The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner's Office has encouraged the players, coaches and officials of all 12 teams to join the government's campaign against the spread of COVID-19.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said Wednesday, May 5, that the league, as an institution, should help the nation even in a small way during this pandemic.
“Ang pinaglalaban natin dito (What we're fighting for here) is for all of us to be safe, at maibaba pa natin ang numero ng mga kaso sa COVID-19 (and for us to lower the cases of COVID-19). Kasi bilang isang bansa kailangan tulungang tayo sa paglaban (As a nation we have to help each other in this fight),” said Marcial in an interview with Manila Bulletin.
“Siyempre gusto natin makabalik na, hindi lang ang basketball, kundi yung buong ekonomiya sa bansa. Hirap na din ang mga tao ngayong pandemic. Makakabalik tayo kung maibaba ang kaso. Kaya malaking bagay ang pagtutulungan ng lahat ng Pilipino (We all want to return, not just basketball, but the entire economy in our country. People are really struggling with this pandemic. We can only return if we can lower the cases, That's why it's important that all Filipinos will help).”
Last Tuesday, May 4, Marcial issued a guideline to all 12 teams regarding its campaign for the return of games and dissemination of public information on ways to lower the COVID-19 cases in the country.
In its guideline, which is part of its bid to return to the playing court through scrimmages and games, the PBA has launched multi-media campaigns that aim to “highlight the public’s clamor for the league’s return” and “inform and remind the public” on responsibility and duty to follow the health protocols.
Marcial said that part of the campaign is the #PBAItuloyAngLaban and he asked players, coaches and officials to add it to their social media posts related to the return of the league with the 46th PBA Season.
“We hope to return to the hardcourt as soon as possible. Together, we can make it happen,” said Marcial.
The league chief is set to meet Friday, May 6, in Batangas City Mayor Beverly Dimacuha and congressman Marvey Mariño at the Batangas City Coliseum on the possibility to have scrimmages of the teams.