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The PBA’s plan to restart its season is final: a compressed Philippine Cup will be played at the University of Angeles Foundation starting October 9, while approximately 350 delegates, from the league’s 12 teams, key members of the league staff and some members of the press – will be staying at the Quest Hotel.
The only thing missing is a sign of progress from the Interagency Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to continue.
“I think the only reason they would turn us down is if we don’t get IATF approval,” league president Ricky Vargas told the Inquirer on Thursday after a virtual press conference that announced plans to restart the the league.
“We are very confident that we will move forward. This is good for us, it is good for the people, it is good for the economy, it will open your television to content that will be important to us, those who love basketball, ”he added.
While there are strong indications that the league will receive a green light from the government to resume a season halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not necessarily a foregone conclusion.
Phased approval
Just a few days ago, the government had said that it was not yet ready to approve games, much less tournament restarts.
The PBA plans to obtain approval in phases. First, according to Commissioner Willie Marcial, the league must get approval to relax training restrictions from individual training to full games by Sept. 27. If that passes, the league will start convincing the government to allow the games to continue. It is due to the way the NBA has successfully restarted its season in the United States after a hiatus also due to the health crisis.
“You can imagine [what they’re doing?] The transmission is very well received. In fact, their audience ratings are very high from a television point of view, ”she said in Filipino.
“I am not thinking about the negative aspects. But if it happens. I’m sure we can survive, ”added Vargas. “We have survived six months without games. And here we are. “
Harsh penalties
And to drive away the IATF, Marcial said strict protocols will be instituted to ensure everyone’s safety.
Players will not be able to get out of the bubble, even for family reasons. Those who exit the bubble will no longer be able to enter. And anyone caught violating health protocols can be fined P100,000 and have a month’s salary taken away. A five-game suspension will also be imposed on the offender.
“All we are waiting for is approval from the IATF to be able to do this,” said Vargas.
Marcial said that San Miguel Beer’s opening win over Magnolia will count in the compressed tournament and that two games will be played every day starting at 4 p.m. Games on Wednesdays. On Fridays and Sundays they will be broadcast on national television.
No fans will be allowed in the bubble. The PBA had long hoped that any restart would mean playing in empty arenas. The league is also expected to lose some popular names due to injuries and other reasons. The Brewers could still put June Mar Fajardo on the disabled list despite the extra time he’s had in rehab. Barangay Geneva, meanwhile, has yet to lure Greg Slaughter, who left an apparent contract dispute. TNT also has some issues with veteran Kelly Williams, who recently announced his retirement without informing the team.
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