SHOW MUST GO ON
Yes, I was talking to Chairman Mitra and he approved our plan of training in areas outside MECQ
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) crafted a way to resume training amid the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao revealed that they received a memorandum from the office of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, telling them that they have the option to train in low-risk areas as the National Capital Region had been placed under the MECQ due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.
Guiao said based on the memo cascaded Tuesday morning, they are allowed to train outside the MECQ areas of Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan, but have to limit it in small groups and individual workouts. “I just received a memorandum from the league where it allows us to conduct small group and individual training outside MECQ areas,” Guiao told Daily Tribune in a telephone conversation.
“There are some GCQ (general community quarantine) areas where we can continue our original plan to conduct practices.”
Save for the results of the swab testing of players, the PBA was already set to resume its training.
But the return-to-play program suffered a major blow after health workers reached out to President Rodrigo Duterte to call for a “timeout” as the country’s health system was greatly suffering due to the surge of coronavirus cases.
The Chief Executive listened to their plea and placed Metro Manila and other major provinces back to MECQ, where physical activities are only limited to running, walking, jogging and biking.
If plans do not miscarry, MECQ will last until 18 August. Marcial confirmed Guiao’s statement, saying that he already talked to Games and Amusement Board chairman Abraham Mitra who immediately gave him his approval.
He, however, clarified that before PBA teams could train outside the MECQ provided that they present their health and safety protocols as well as undergo the mandatory swab testing set on 20 and 21 August.
Swab tests results would be available in two to three days. “Yes, I was talking to Chairman Mitra and he approved our plan of training in areas outside MECQ,” Marcial said.
“But we still have to subject all players and team staff to swab testing as well as see the health and safety guidelines that they are planning to enforce. We have to make sure that they are still following the guidelines even if they are training outside Metro Manila or in other MECQ areas.”
Guiao, however, stressed that training in a bubble setup, which is similar to what the National Basketball Association is doing, is possible.
“It would be a bit costly for the teams, but I think they are willing to take on the extra cost so we can start early and salvage the season,” said Guiao, a former governor of Pampanga, which is a province that is outside MECQ areas.
“That’s the kind of direction we are eyeing right now.” “After all, the players and us, coaches, are very eager to get back to work and we wanted to start right away and be active again.”