PBA to stay the course even as NCR back in MECQ
ONCE again under strict quarantine measures for at least two weeks, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial considers the situation a 'short detour' that will not discourage the league from pursuing a bid to salvage Season 45.
"The government knows what is good for us, and we conform with their orders. We will follow the guidelines and will wait for the next word from them with regards to restrictions on whatever quarantine status we're in," said Marcial.
"As for the 14-day return of Metro Manila to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), I look at it as a short detour that we'll pursue in the hope of getting our teams back in the gym at the right time," Marcial added.
Under MECQ, sports
activities allowed are only non-contact individual workouts like walking, running and biking.
Before the government heeded calls of health workers for a 14-day 'timeout', the PBA was making the final preparation for the return of the 12 ball clubs to non-scrimmage training.
"We have no recourse but to adjust the schedule of our activities. The supposed swab testing of the players at the Makati Med on Aug. 6-7 will be pushed back," said Marcial.
If not for Metro Manila's return to MECQ, the PBA teams' return to training should have been a go once they get the result of the swab tests.
Marcial and deputy commissioner Eric Castro were to have a meeting with the teams to finalize the training guidelines and protocols.
"Ngayon, we'll communicate with them to inform them that we'll have to hear the next call of the government," said Marcial.