Coaches free to attend training

We’re not prohibiting anyone

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is giving its coaches the liberty to attend the training of their respective teams as soon as the government issues the green light to resume.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial debunked reports saying that he is barring coaches to call the shots in the first few days of practice that would pave the way for the resumption of the league’s 45th season.

Marcial said they are leaving it up to the teams if they want their coaches to show up in the first few practices, which would mostly be focused on conditioning drills.

“We’re not prohibiting anyone. It really depends on the teams if they will require their coaches to be present or not in their first few practices,” Marcial said in a telephone conversation.

“Coaches are free to attend. If they want, they could go there and supervise the training of their teams. I am not stopping anyone. We just have to follow certain protocols.”

In its letter to the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the league vowed to follow necessary health and safety protocols as soon as it allows the resumption of contact sports.

The PBA stressed that they would follow strict social distancing, with only six people, including four players, and two other personnel allowed in practice sessions, which are mostly limited to strength and conditioning.

The league would also take players’ temperature before and after training and provide alcohols and sanitizers as well as disinfect the sports facilities before and after use.

With this, reports surfaced that coaches would not be allowed to join their teams.

Yeng Guiao of NLEX said it’s going to be unfair for coaches not to be allowed because they are also pumped up to buckle down to work and prepare for the All-Filipino Conference.

“I understand the sentiments of the coaches and I know they too are eager to get back to the game as soon as possible,” Marcial said, adding that the teams have the discretion on who will be allowed to show up in training.

“It is up to the team on who will compose the six team, but it should have four players and a health officer.”