The schedules of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup is being fixed now that the game are set to restart on February 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The resumption of the league is now possible after the government adjusted its COVID-19 health and safety restrictions, with Metro Manila reverting back to Alert Level 2
With the new status taking effect from February 1 to 15, teams will be given 10 days to practice beginning at the start of the month.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said fans will still not be allowed to watch the games in the first two to three days of matches.
Marcial said they could allow fans to come in on the second week of its resumption, but this will still depend on how the COVID situation will progress.
“Wala munang fans. Pag-aaralan muna natin ‘yung sitwasyon kung puwede na tayong magluwag. At the earliest baka second week magpapasok na tayo ng fans,” Marcial said in a statement.
Matches in the Governors’ Cup were called off late last year following a spike in COVID-19 infections after the holiday season.
The surge in virus cases compelled the government to escalate the status of NCR from Alert Level 2 to the stricter Alert Level 3.
This forced the PBA to temporarily postpone its schedule.
Marcial had a brief meeting with MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos on Sunday and was told the agency’s endorsement was no longer necessary.
That’s because under Alert Level 2, all close contact sports are already permitted.