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SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to follow health protocols before resuming his 45th season in a bubble at Clark Freeport and the Special Economic Zone in Pampanga on September 26.
A huge fan of the PBA since 1983, particularly Crispa’s famous Atoy Co, Go expressed his full support for the resumption of the professional league that stalled on March 11 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They [PBA] I need to follow the strict health protocols implemented by the government first because it is very difficult to get sick this time. So after a more in-depth study, and when they get approval, it’s the best time to start the bubble, “Go told BusinessMirror in a Monday phone interview.
The Davao City Senator said he is in constant communication with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial every day, in fact, as he supports the league’s step-by-step request with the Interagency Task Force for Handling of emerging infectious diseases (IATF-EID) for the resumption of the season.
“I am willing to help the PBA. In fact, all communications from PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial in the previous months were sent to me before I reported to the IATF, ”added Go, the chairman of the Senate Sports Committee.
“If I am willing to be the bridge between the PBA and the IATF, I am very willing to do it,” he said.
The IATF has already allowed individual and small group training for PBA players as of August 24, but it still prohibits group training, especially practice games.
Go said that despite fully supporting the return of the PBA, it is still the IATF that has the final say.
The senator said he cannot watch the games live on the bubble due to his hectic schedule as a senator.
“And I don’t like to compromise the safety of all the people who will stay in the bubble for two months without leaving,” Go said.
“I will only watch the games on television,” he said.
“The PBA is really a great help for everyone, for the people. They stayed so long in their homes during quarantine, let’s give them some entertainment. It is a mental health problem, ”she said. “The PBA will help people fight depression and anxiety.”
