By JONAS TERRADO
The PBA could allow its teams to make trades in January as the league is currently in the early stages of the offseason following the success of the 45th season bubble.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the moratorium will continue until the league determines a specific time even after the shortened season ended with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel capturing the Philippine Cup title inside the bubble in Clark and nearby Angeles City.
Teams were barred from trading players during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the PBA to suspend its season.
The only transaction allowed prior to the bubble was for teams to extend the contracts of its players until Dec. 31 or pick up those in the free agent market.
For now, teams can’t submit any trades to the PBA Office even if informal agreements have been made.
Marcial had earlier said the league is setting its sights on starting the 46th season on its anniversary on April 9, provided the situation surrounding the pandemic improves.
The PBA is now focusing on the Rookie Draft which will be held in March. The league already opened applications for aspirants eager to make a jump to the pro ranks.
It also allowed the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to tap PBA players for the next window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers which will be held under a similar bubble in Clark.
FIBA announced Friday that Clark will be one of the bubble sites for the continental qualifiers.
