Ross: What’s the rush?

MANILA, Philippines — Although the PBA has assured of safeguards if it gets government clearance to resume training, San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross expressed concern about the risks they would still face.

“Risking personal and family safety so that we can train now for games that won’t start until earliest September?!? What’s the rush? (There’s) no advancement scientifically for the virus,” Ross posted on his Twitter account.

The PBA board on Wednesday decided to ask the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow the squads to do some form of training – with minimum health standards – soon.

“I wanna play ball and get back to work as bad as anyone out there but at what risk?” said Ross, who later added that he trusts league officials “to put players and their families safety at the top” and “make the best decision for everyone involved.”

Under the PBA proposal, the teams will be guided by health protocols if ever they return to non-scrimmage practices, including a “bubble” approach and a thrice-a-month COVID testing policy.

Only four players at a time will be allowed for each session, accompanied by a health or safety officer and one trainer. Each batch will have five minutes after training to leave the venue, which will be required to implement “hospital-standard” disinfection.

“I recognize the fact that we should assure the players that they will be safe, that proper testing will be done and for some teams, they’re also testing the families of these players,” said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

“So we have to be sensitive about that, too. We’re doing all we can. We’re leaving no stone unturned. We’re trying to put our guidelines on that basis so that when the player comes and practices, secured siya at pag uwi niya, alam niyang he’s free from the disease, and he’s safe,” he added.

Vargas said Commissioner Willie Marcial has been tasked to meet with players beginning June 23 to “educate them and inform them how best to protect themselves.”

In the event players will decline to participate in training, it will be the call of the respective teams.

“I think that would be up to the management of the team. That will be their team rules,” said Vargas.

Generally, PBA officials said the players are raring to return to basketball activities.

“According to chairman and some of the governors, halos lahat okay eh,” said Marcial. “Kaya rin ako magpapatawag ng dialogue (with the players), mag-uusap kami, ano ba sa palagay nila,  ano sa tingin nila, ganon ang istilo na gagawin natin.”