PBA decides Japeth, Adrian fate today

How the PBA penalizes Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star Japeth Aguilar and Rain or Shine rookie Adrian Wong will be known today when they explain their participation in a five-on-five game prohibited under the current community quarantine rules.

The meeting is set at 2 p.m. with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial expected to render judgment on the two players joining Japan-bound Thirdy Ravena and pro dra ee Isaac Go in a pickup game held last week at the Ronac Gym in San Juan City.

Go was only given a reprimand by Marcial since he has yet to become an official member of Columbian due to his stint with the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

Whatever punishment Marcial impose may determine if Aguilar and Wong face a separate sanction from local authorities for violating quarantine rules.

Recreational basketball games remain prohibited under general community quarantine regulations imposed by the government on Metro Manila in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Inter-Agency Task Force, however, has given the PBA green light for teams to hold practices under strict health guidelines.

PBA teams will be allowed to have five people under GCQ and a maximum of 10 if regulations are downgraded to a modified general community quarantine.

Aguilar, Wong, Ravena, and Go were among those seen playing a five-on-five game in a video posted on Instagram last Wednesday. The video has since been deleted.

Wong, Ravena, and University of the Philippines star Kobe Paras were also seen holding group workouts at the Ronac Gym while violating social distancing measures.

Magnolia’s Paul Lee, San Miguel Beer’s Arwind Santos, and TNT KaTropa’s Ray Parks Jr. have also posted their workouts in private basketball courts on social media though it seemed like they have not engaged in any pickup game.