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By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior reporter
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to resume its currently suspended season within two weeks and is ensuring that it will be a worthwhile comeback for all stakeholders, particularly its fans.
Given tentative approval to resume its coronavirus-affected year last week, the league said it is grateful for the opportunity it has been given to get back on track and provide sports entertainment after a while.
“We are happy to be able to bring basketball back, which will really be for the fans. That is our motivation from the beginning, ”said PBA President Ricky Vargas, after receiving the go-ahead to resume in a“ bubble ”scenario that will take place in Clark City in Angeles, Pampanga.
The league has been very proactive in its effort to restart, coordinating with the relevant government agencies every step of the way to make sure it is headed in the right direction.
The road to be where it is now had some bumps, but the league stayed the course and was unfazed, and is now ready to start again on October 11.
Given the walk back they had, Vargas said they are doing everything they can to give the best offer possible.
They have spoken with the players, who, in turn, affirmed their commitment to the return, as well as their official broadcaster, TV5.
“When we talked to the players, we all agreed that it was time to give something back to the fans. When we spoke with TV5, we said to do a real coverage that will be very entertaining for the fans, ”said Vargas.
He added: “We have done our best and hope to be successful in the future. Let us all pray for the success of the return. “
The league suspended its 45th season in March as the pandemic began to take further root in the country.
Only one match was played in the season-opening Philippine Cup when the decision to suspend was made, between defending champions San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, who won the former (94-78).
When the Philippine Cup returns next month, it will be held under a bubble configuration, similar to that employed at the National Basketball Association, where players, coaches, and team and league personnel will take refuge in one place. for the duration of the tournament and you will be transferred to and from the hotel and the place of play.
All games will be played at the University of Angeles Foundation Sports and Cultural Center, while the Quest Hotel will be home to those who participate.
It will be a compressed tournament for the PBA, which will last only two months and will feature two daily games. And the league hopes to crown a champion by the second week of December.
The tournament format will see a single free-for-all elimination, with the top eight teams advancing to the next round. The top four seeds will have a two-time lead in the quarterfinals. The semifinals will be a best of five affair and the finals will be a best of seven.
OUT TO CLARK
Meanwhile, teams began heading to Clark City on Monday to pick up some more preparations.
Magnolia, the Meralco Bolts, Phoenix Fuel Masters, Terra Firma Dyip and TNT KaTropa were the first to go with the remaining teams, namely San Miguel, Barangay Geneva San Miguel Kings, Alaska Aces, Blackwater Bossing, Northport Batang Pier, NLEX Road Warriors and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters depart Tuesday.
Teams underwent swab tests this week and will go through the same when entering the bubble, with the result expected to arrive within 24 hours.
Once the results are negative, squads will be able to perform 5v5 scrimmages.
In the run-up, teams were only allowed to do modified workouts, with only four players on the court per batch in accordance with league and government protocols to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.
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