BY TITO S. TALAO
Three weeks after PBA commissioner Willie Marcial suspended the first conference Philippine Cup after only one game due to COVID-19 with no timetable for resumption, league governors are inclined to change nothing.
Initially, with the enhanced community quarantine implemented over Luzon on March 17 about to end in less than two weeks — unless an extension, even an expansion, is deemed inevitable — preliminary movement was anticipated from dormant PBA ballclubs.
As of Friday, however, such may not be the case.
“If ever the conference will resume, we will be given two weeks notice,” says PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales of Columbian Dyip. “That’s the only time our team will resume practice. That’s the agreement as issued by the Commissioner’s office.”
Rosales says no board meeting has been scheduled so far, meaning everything remains on hold.
“Meanwhile, everyone’s staying home. Some players in their own little way provide assistance during the lockdown and do their own physical conditioning.”
Atty. Mert Mondragon of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters says the PBA will be taking its cue from the government.
“Pag na-lift yung lockdown, saka pag-uusapan sa PBA board kung ano ang gagawin,” says Mondragon.
Until then, says Erick Arejola of the NorthPort Batang Pier, health continues to be the principal focus.
“Safety of the whole PBA family is our immediate concern although we discuss and update each other online,” says Arejola.
“We are regularly monitoring the condition of our players, making sure they stay fit and healthy. What course of action we’ll take next will be based on Commissioner Marcial’s recommendation.”
The enforced social distancing scheme to help stop the spread of the coronavirus has made it impossible for the PBA governors to meet, prompting the Meralco Bolts’ Al Panlilio to advance the use of recent web-based video conferencing tools.
“Right now work from home is in place. We will review things weekly. Meetings are done through virtual means — MS Teams or Zoom,” says Panlilio, also president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Dickie Bachmann of the Alaska Aces says staying home offers one of the best protections against the disease — and one of best ways to stay in shape.
“For now, sa bahay pa rin.. #homeworkoutchallenge for the team the past two weeks and we will continue to do it,” says Bachmann, who, along with Aces coach Jeffrey Cariaso, has devised a creative way to ensure their players’ fitness, even inviting Alaska fans to participate in the online workout challenge.
Monitoring the current situation, says Alfrancis Chua of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, should give the PBA an idea how to proceed.
“Pag ako ang tatanungin, play by ear muna,” he says. “Hindi natin alam kung ano mangyayari pag magulo pa. Sa ‘kin lang, huwag muna maglaro. Para sa mga fans din, sa mga players at sa pamilya nila.”
Atty. Raymond Zorrilla of Phoenix Fuel shares the views of his PBA colleagues.
“As of now we will follow the government as to the measures imposed during the enhanced community quarantine,” he says. “If lockdown is lifted, we will still assess the situation and wait for the advice of the PBA.”
Zorrilla maintains their “primary consideration will always be the health of our players, staff, coaches and their families and the community in general.”
Phoenix players, he adds, “are in constant communication with our coaches for proper monitoring and physical exercises while in the comforts of their homes.
“Likewise, they have their own efforts in helping the community by providing relief packages and pooling donations for relief efforts.”