By Waylon Galvez
Several superstar players support the idea of the PBA board to have teams stay in quarters as part of protocols to maintain safety if and when the league resumes the Philippine Cup later this year.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel guard LA Tenorio said Thursday that if staying in quarters with teammates, coaches and utility personnel is one of the ways to return to action, he is all for it.
“Kami naman bilang mga players kung ano ang decision ng PBA board at ng Commissioner’s Office, suportado namin yan,” said Tenorio when contacted by Manila Bulletin.
“Kung ito ba yung sa tingin nila maganda para makabalik tayo, ok yan. Yes mapapalayo sa family – medyo matagal din – pero trabaho namin ‘to, konting sakripisyo sabi nga.”
Ginebra representative Alfrancis Chua divulge the other day that the board is “brainstorming” on ways and means to form a protocol that will be forwarded to the government for approval.
Aside from the taking swab tests for coronavirus and other important measures necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19, Chua said that having teams live in a quarters for two to three months is a possibility.
“Para makasiguro tayo na ang pupuntahan lang ensayo, game venue, and quarters,” said Chua. “Hindi na kailangan pa na umuwi ng bahay para safe din ang families ng players, ng team members.”
“Lahat yan tinitignan namin sa board, lahat ng protocol pati testing lahat kinu-consider. If and when ready na kami, we’ll present it sa government for approval,” added Chua.
Paul Lee of Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok said the important thing is the safety of all concerned.
“Sa panahon ngayon pinaka-importante is yung kaligtasan ng lahat e – lalo ng pamilya namin,” said Lee. “Kung yun ang maging decision ng board and eventually mapayagan ng government, yung ang gagawin namin.”
Rain or Shine’s veteran center Beau Belga said he shares the sentiments of both Tenorio and Lee, and just like them, he too is excited to play return to competitive basketball.
“Nakaka-buryo na din na walang basketball,” said Belga. “Nakakapag-training naman kami sa mga bahay namin, pero iba pa din yung ensayo talaga and yung naglalaro ka kaya kung matutuloy, suportado natin ‘yan.”
