PBA prepares for the worst

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA is preparing for the worst in the battle against the deadly COVID-19.

Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday said if the situation does not improve, the 45th season may turn out to be like no other.

“Pag nagdire-diretso, posible na one conference na lang,” he said.

Never in the long, colorful history of the PBA has a season been reduced to a single conference.

“Two conferences na as of now. We’ll convene again before April 30 (end of the extended quarantine),” Marcial said after an online video conference that lasted over one hour.

Chairman Ricky Vargas convened the PBA board via online a day after President Duterte announced that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will be extended until April 30 from the previous target date of April 12.

The board of governors agreed that a two-conference set-up may be the best way to go this year.

At the same time, the PBA said it was open to the possibility of settling for a solitary tournament for the entire 2020.

Marcial said the board made the decision by considering the welfare of everyone.

The PBA said the status of the D-League Aspirants’ Cup will largely depend on whether the school leagues will continue with their respective competitions. Collegiate teams are the main participants in the said tournament.

“Kung hindi na magtutuloy yung UAAP, NCAA, school leagues, baka pwede sila sa D-League. Pero depende pa rin ’yan sa schools,” said Marcial.

As for the 3x3 event, the PBA commissioner said it’s still a go.

“Pag nagsimula ang PBA, we’ll convene the teams and simula ang 3x3 after two or three weeks,” said Marcial.

At the same time, the PBA board earmarked P1 million to purchase PPEs for medical frontliners.

Marcial was appointed point person for this endeavor, and is now looking for manufacturers and choosing the beneficiaries.

The PBA also remained committed to helping regular employees as well as game-day personnel affected by the prolonged ECQ.