By WAYLON GALVEZ
Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Saturday that’s he’s in favor of resuming the games without an audience, and using the Internet as a tool to broadcast the Philippine Cup via online stream.
Marcial, however, said that while they can impose a stricter health protocol by testing team members, resuming team practices and games requires approval from the government due to coronavirus pandemic that continued to ravage mankind globally.
“If we resume practice, and then the games, under kasi yan ng mass gathering na hindi pinapayagan ng gobyerno sa ngayon,” said Marcial adding that the board touched the testing and online viewing in a previous meeting.
“Siguro kung papayagan na magkaroon ng mass gathering, puwede na natin makonsidera. But for now, mukhang hindi pa feasible. But yes agree tayo sa strict health protocol. Antayin muna natin kung anong sasabihin ng government dun natin i-base yung recommendation sa board,” he said.
Marcial was reacting to the personal views of NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao, who last Friday mentioned that the PBA can resume with team training next month and with the season-opening conference by June.
Guiao said that as a business, the PBA could thrive despite the health problem brought about by coronavirus.
After the 45th Season opening last March 8, the PBA postponed the conference following the government’s announcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) last March 15.
For Guiao, the PBA should lead the way by implementing strict health protocols like the availability of testing kits and partnership with a testing institution to make sure people involved are virus-free.
“Isa tayo sa industries that can rebound in a big way, and the PBA should lead the way. Dapat, ngayon pa lang ang PBA nagpo-formulate na nga mga new systems and start adapting to the new normal,” added Guiao.
Meralco governor Al Panlilio, who is also the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president, said the most important thing now is the safety of everybody, and resuming the PBA games may take some time.
“My sentiments are still the same, safety and lives first,” said Panlilio. “For now, there is still no vaccine so there is still no cure. Testing has improved but I think we still need to test more.”
“I’m happy to see that there are more recoveries now than deaths but still we have to be cautious. I don’t think we are at the point where we – the PBA – can decide to restart… but this is my personal opinion,” he added.
PBA board vice chairman Bobby Rosales said that they are looking at all options with regards to resuming with the games, including the things Guiao mentioned.
“All options are on the table, but too early to decide which option. We need to have a solid basis for whichever option to take. The health and safety of everyone remain to be the priority,” said Rosales.
