PBA Commissioner Marcial has high hopes for league’s future

But, first, no radical changes for now, he quickly adds, because the league is waiting for the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, or IATF: “As of now, wala naman kaming ‘new normal’ set-up. Sumulat na tayo sa IATF para payagan tayong mag-practice pa lang – conditioning. Walang scrimmages, walang games, four players at a time sa court, so yun lang muna.”

Most PBA contingents are done with their COVID-19 tests to ensure the health and safety of their teams and families. San Miguel, Ginebra, Magnolia, Meralco, Talk N Text, and NLEX have completed their tests, all with negative results. The same goes for the PBA staff. “Salamat na wala, at sana wala na talaga (Thankfully, no bad news. We hope it stays that way),” Commissioner Marcial said.

If it is decided that the league can push through, Marcial points out, there will be new protocols, like PBA-proposed rules for practice, games, closed-door rules, plus more protocols proffered by the Games And Amusement Board, International Basketball Federation, the government, and the respective venue managers, all to be taken as one comprehensive package for the safety of everyone involved in the league.

“Pag nabuksan ang PBA, parang binigyan natin ng pagasa ang lahat ng nasa industriya ng sports. Parang magkakaron sila ng kumpiyansa, makikita ng lahat na there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” he pointed out with high hopes when asked about the league improvements when the new rules are implemented. “Sa lahat ng tumatangkilik sa PBA, maraming maraming salamat po. Asahan po ninyo na nandito po kami, patuloy po namin kayong aaliwin, at sana ay mas mapasaya namin kayo.”