The Philippine Basketball Association on Tuesday sought the opinion of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin Abalos in connection with the league’s possible reopening without compromising the government’s health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
PBA Commissioner Willy Marcial visited Abalos in his office at the agency’s headquarters in Makati City, where they discussed ways to forge stronger coordination particularly during this time of crisis.
Marcial sought clarification and guidance from the MMDA chief regarding existing rules and regulations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on contact sports such as basketball.
Abalos said they will work on some actions to be undertaken which will be acceptable by the IATF, ensuring that the minimum health protocols being implemented by the government shall be strictly observed and adhered to.
“We have to ensure the safety of everyone, not only the players, but the general viewing public. We cannot compromise the health and well-being of all,” he said.
The shutdown of the PBA affected the livelihood of families employed by the sports organization and its member teams.
“Basketball is the Filipinos’ national pasttime. But there is no denying that the PBA is struggling now because of the pandemic,” said Abalos, who promised to help the PBA and the basketball industry as a whole.
The association is also eyeing training in Metro Manila as its quarantine status eases to general community quarantine with heightened restrictions.
Meanwhile, Marcial has pledged strict compliance to minimum health standards, keeping the players and officials safe once given a green light to proceed.