Back in July 16, the Philippine
Basketball Association (PBA) held a modest opening ceremony for its 2021
season. Not only did the simple proceedings contribute to pandemic safety
protocols, it made time for the inaugural three consecutive games in the elimination
rounds of the Philippine Cup. The going has not been easy however. In July 21
some games were postponed after players of Talk N Text had to wait for COVID
test results. The escalating new wave of infections in Metro Manila did not
help, especially after it forced the league to suspend the season this past Wednesday,
August 4.
But there may be hope according
to CNN Philippines. The Inter-Agency
Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF) has given the PBA the green light to resume their
games, even as their usual venue within the NCR Plus bubble is once again under
enhanced community quarantine status. The caveat is that the league will have to
move their teams outside Metro Manila, and play their games in an area with
less strict general community quarantine. This was laid out on the IATF
Resolution 131 which was issued this past Thursday, August 5.
Said resolution came in response
to the PBA proposing the change in venue to some GCQ area outside of the NCR,
which also began its ECQ status Friday, August 6 and will last for two weeks.
The country’s pro basketball league suggested Lipa City, Batangas as the
alternative playing venue, as it is currently under GCQ even with some
heightened restrictions. Resolution 131 however mandates the PBA to take steps
and find ready locations under GCQ or modified GCQ status, should their
alternate site – wherever it may be – happen to upgrade their quarantine to ECQ
or MECQ. The league will hold its planned games in a semi-bubble environment,
to separate but not isolate players, staff and officials for pandemic
protection. Pampanga has also been put forth as an alternative location.
Image from Manila Bulletin
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