PBA teams are bracing for new quarantine classifications that could allow the resumption of full practices and scrimmages in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces under the NCR Plus bubble.
Current guidelines are due to end Monday, May 31, and Malacanang has hinted that restrictions could be eased in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan due to a decline in COVID-19 cases.
NCR Plus has been under General Community Quarantine with “heightened restrictions” which prohibits teams from holding indoor training and forcing all 12 ballclubs to train elsewhere.
Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer and Alaska have trained in Lipa City, Phoenix, Rain or Shine, NorthPort and Terrafirma in Batangas City, Blackwater in Tagaytay City, NLEX in Clark, Pampanga and TNT and Meralco in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
A return to normal GCQ in NCR Plus will make it easier for teams to hold their sessions since they’ll be able to do it at the confines of their regular practice facilities.
But that might also mean stricter protocols must be observed to ensure that practices will be a success.
That could also play an impact if the league can meet its goal of starting the 46th season on June 25 under a closed-circuit setup.
The PBA is still eyeing a two-conference season beginning with the centerpiece Philippine Cup.