Marcial hopes 45th season can still have at least 1 conference
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial remains hopeful PBA Season 45 can be salvaged even with just one conference following developments around the world, including sports activities in Taiwan and South Korea and similar plans of resumption of play in the US and Europe.
“A handful of NBA teams are opening practice facilities, and it could well lead to resumption of the NBA season. Major League Baseball is looking at reopening shop in July. Football in Europe is about to resume. All these make me hopeful we can resume our Season 45,” said Marcial.
The PBA honcho was okay with the government’s decision yesterday to extend the restrictions in many parts of the country because of the still rising number of virus infections, agreeing it’s the right thing to do.
Marcial hopes, though, that these government measures could flatten the curve soon, and subsequently allow the resumption of sports activities, including PBA action.
“The board decision is to wait until August. Medyo matagal pa yon. Hopefully, by that time, medyo okay na, and allowed na ang gathering for a sports event, like the PBA,” he said.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the proposal to place Metro Manila, Laguna province and Cebu City under a modified enhanced community quarantine until May 31.
Under the modified lockdown, communities are still restricted with residents allowed to leave their homes for provisions of food and other basic necessities, and in cases of emergency.
Wearing facemasks is a must, and social distancing is still implemented.
“I kind of expected that kasi marami pa rin cases of infection. I’m also endorsing wearing face masks and social distancing. It’s the new normal or new life for us until there’s a vaccine,” said Marcial.