By WAYLON GALVEZ
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial said Tuesday they are closely monitoring the developments in the NBA after two more games were called off due to coronavirus (COVID-19) and contract tracing issues.
Marcial said that they are observing the NBA setup of a semi-bubble that allow players to travel with their teams to different states and cities for games and go back to their respective homes.
“Of course tinitignan natin, sinusundan natin yung mga nangyayari sa NBA,” said Marcial. “Medyo dumadami nga ang nagkakasakit sa kanila.”
“Tinitignan natin kung ano ang mga ginagawa nila in terms of health protocols, papaano kung may mga nag-positive. Ngayon ilang games na naman ang cancel so malaking bagay.”
While the league in the US implements strict health protocols in hopes to stop the spread of the virus, there were a number of players that tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in the postponement of games.
The latest to cancel were the matches between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks Monday, as well as the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls Tuesday. The league already reduced its season to 72 games per team instead of the regular 82 games.
While there is no decision yet on what to implement when the PBA returns for its Season 46 in April, Marcial said they are considering two things – stick to its old formula of playing in a bubble system or play in a semi bubble.
Another thing Marcial pointed out is the availability of vaccines in the coming months.
He said that once vaccines are made available for the players, the spread of the COVID-19 virus may be contained, and that’s what he hopes to happen if and when the PBA resumes this year.
“Sa kanila kasi I think naka-pila pa (NBA) kasi inuuna pa mga health workers, frontliners kaya hindi pa nababakunahan yung mga players. Sa atin ganun din na pipila tayo kasi alam naman natin kung sino ang mga dapat na unahin din for the vaccine,” he said.
