BY JONAS TERRADO
& WAYLON GALVEZ
Closed-door practices, temperature checks and the use of disinfectants are some of the common measures PBA teams have taken due to the increasing threat posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Not even the infectious disease that forced the PBA to suspend its Philippine Cup games until further notice has prevented teams from conducting their business, albeit under strict precautions.
Teams have been barring visitors from attending practices, namely Magnolia, TNT KaTropa, NorthPort, Meralco and San Miguel Beer, which eventually decided to call off practices for the rest of the week.
“We would just like to observe our present situation with (COVID-19),” said SMB team manager Gee Abanilla. “The welfare of everyone is our primary concern and for the meantime, we encourage our team to observe social distancing and boosting our immune system.”
A memo shared by Abanilla stated that “those with temperatures above 37.6C are not allowed within the premises and advised to seek medical help” and those allowed to enter the premises “shall be required to wash their hands first.”
The team even cut short it practice Thursday as of their strict measures to combat the spread of the deadly disease.
“We’re finishing our practice early, and we’ll let the players know when we’ll be resuming until further notice,” added Abanilla.
SMB governor Robert Non said that the decision of the PBA is “very timely” since various organizers have already suspended their events.
Commissioner Willie Marcia on Wednesday suspended all games and activities of the league for the safety of everybody.
“The decision of the PBA is very timely because we all know what’s going on right now, and it’s for the safety of players, fans and officials of the league,” said Non when contacted by The Bulletin.
EALA WITHDRAWS
Meanwhile, top junior tennis player Alex Eala pulled out of her second International Tennis Federation (ITF) women’s tournament in Tunisia on Thursday due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., organizer of the country’s premier three-category pro circuit, also announced the suspension of all tournaments in the Philippine Golf Tour, the PGT Asia and Ladies PGT over growing concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Given this, the management of PGTI has approved the cancellation of all tournaments until further notice effective March 16, 2020. Please understand that nothing is of greater importance than to maintain the safety and security of our professional golfers, officials and staff,” said PGT executive director Narlene A. Soriano.
