Hoops return to take a while

MANILA, Philippines — It may take a long while before basketball-crazy Filipinos can return to their old “ball is life” routine.

This as 5-on-5 basketball can only be played when all kinds of community quarantine is lifted, based on the Philippine Sports Commission’s proposed “Framework Tool for Reintroducing Sport in a COVID-19 Environment.”

Per the PSC proposal, the only hoops-related activities that can be done in an area under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) like Metro Manila are “ball and skill drills in front of home” or “an enclosed public street fronting the household.” And it must be done solo.

More activities are allowed as the area’s status is downgraded.

For those under the more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ), solo use of a public basketball or village court with “no person to person interaction or sharing of equipment” is permitted.

In places under modified GCQ, multiple person interaction (passing drills) but no-contact play or scrimmage (skillset run, agility drills or ball skills among distanced individuals) is good to go.

But the regular 5-on-5 contact practice or game in a public location with shared equipment is only allowed under the so-called “new normal” status – or places no longer under quarantine.

If approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force, this will likely prolong the absence of hoops action from barangay level to the PBA.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the basketball’s governing body, reserved comment for the PSC’s reintroduction plans. “(We) Have to review this, (we) haven’t really seen this,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, for his part, said the pro league will follow what the government rules. 

“Tignan natin kung ano ang sasabihin ng gobyerno,” said Marcial. “Habang wala pa, umaasa pa rin ako na makakalaro tayo this season.”

The PBA will decide in August whether to hold a single conference or cancel Season 45 altogether.

In the country, being in ECQ and MECQ means the place you’re living in is still in high risk while GCQ and the succeeding levels mean the situation is improving.

Sports allowed in MECQ areas are badminton, running, kata events of karate, solo, non-draft cycling and open water swimming.

Swimming is allowed in the GCQ areas with a maximum of eight lanes but with no interaction at shower or change rooms.
The matrix, which was done in coordination with the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force, was released to categorize levels of participation, interaction and physical environment for sports in general.

All National Sports Associations were given this matrix as their tool to draft their sport specific guidelines.