SBP: Basketball activities still a no-no under quarantine

CEBU - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has emphasized that except for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), basketball at all levels is still off-limits especially in areas that are still under quarantine.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios reiterated thus after the confusion that came with the lack of specific guidelines from the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) following the announcement of presidential spokesman Harry Roque last Friday wherein he said, ““Pinayagan po yung practice and conditioning ng basketball at saka ng football sangayon po sa request ng PBA at ng ibang mga football associations.”

Barrios clarified that PBA teams are only limited to practicing in small groups. The rest of the basketball-loving country, meanwhile, has to wait a little while longer.

“Importante yung specific implementing guidelines kasi baka mamislead for example yung mga basketball-loving countrymen natin. Baka biglang magsilaruan sa barangay court or street basketball thinking na pwede na,” said Barrios in his appearance in a webcast by the Philippines Sportswriters Association.

Barrios disclosed that he got a lot of inquiries from SBP regional directors, asking if they were now allowed to stage basketball events and activities.

“Pare-pareho tayong feedback na na-excite lahat. Pati mga regional directors natin for grassroots, nagtatanungan kung pwede na ba magpa-tournament sa lugar namin. Dito lang sa neighborhood namin, nagtatanong din,” Barrios added.

Barrios asked for patience from the public as the government tries to adjust to what sports will be like in this pandemic-ravaged world.

“Gusto natin siguraduhin na nasa tamang lugar tayo dahil masisita tayo ng mga authorities na nagpasimula tayo sa pag-violate ng kanilang regulasyon,” said Barrios.