Marcial set to discuss PBA resumption with gov't officials
The PBA is hoping to get a clearer view as to how it can start the 46th season amid the current COVID-19 situation when it meets top government officials Wednesday, April 28 at the Malacanang Palace.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial will be joined by San Miguel Corporation sports director and Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua in a scheduled meeting with Senator Bong Go and executive secretary Salvador Medialdea where they’ll discuss various topics relating to the league’s plans for the season to start following several delays.
Marcial said during his appearance in the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday, April 27, that among the discussions are the plans to vaccinate the whole PBA family, namely players, coaches and staff.
Other things that could be discussed are possible scenarios like its initial plans to hold a two-conference season under a closed-circuit format and the option of another bubble.
“Siguro after 1-2 days may konting liwanag na kung saan ang direction natin (Maybe after 1-2 days there will be a little light on where our direction is),” Marcial said in the weekly forum.
The PBA was supposed to start the season this month, beginning with the centerpiece Philippine Cup which will have a single-round elimination schedule followed by a double-round Governors’ Cup, with the Ynares Center in Antipolo City being eyed as a possible venue.
But the league is aiming for a late-May or a June start after COVID-19 cases increased last month, prompting the government to initially impose a two-week Enhanced Community Quarantine in NCR Plus before it was downgraded to the current Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine regulations.
That also forced PBA teams to stop its regular practices under strict health protocols since such arrangements are banned in ECQ and MECQ areas.
The meeting with Go and Medialdea will actually come on the day President Duterte is set to announce new community quarantine regulations for May. MECQ regulations in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan are until Friday, April 30.
Marcial has not ruled out another bubble, especially after receiving offers from Ilocos Norte and another local government unit which he didn’t disclose.