By JONAS TERRADO
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial will meet with player representatives from all 12 teams on Tuesday for an open discussion on how they can deal with the possible resumption of practices next month under strict health measures.
Marcial said two players from each ballclub are expected to attend the meeting set under social distancing measures at the lobby of the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City where they can share whatever thoughts they want to express regarding the proposed arrangements.
The PBA has yet to receive word from the Inter-Agency Task Force if the proposed guidelines they submitted after the board meeting held earlier this month will be approved.
Among the guidelines is for teams to hold practices among batches each composed of four players, a trainer and a safety officer followed by disinfecting measures equal to hospital standards and COVID-19 testing every 10 days.
While most players expressed willingness to resume practices under the said guidelines, San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross did express some reservations over fears that the health of not only the players but also their families could be compromised.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel floor general LA Tenorio also said in Sunday’s pilot episode of the Sports Page over TV5 that some players have expressed their reluctance until there’s a vaccine is found to combat the virus.
The PBA said it would be up to the teams on how to deal with such matter, though San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua said the company will implement a “no work, no pay” policy.