Pro league pushing forward

MANILA, Philippines — A rejuvenated PBA gets ready to take the next step to its gradual return by holding a pair of meetings ahead of the government-approved training restart.

A week after getting the authorities’ greenlight, the pro league convenes the coaches and team managers today to discuss the nitty gritty of the health protocols that govern the non-scrimmage practices.

This precedes a special board meeting led by PBA chairman Ricky Vargas tomorrow, with the governors set to go over their plans again and make sure everything is in order before sending the teams back to the gym.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said they hope to get the training rolling by July 22.

A lively discussion is expected in today’s 2 p.m. gab especially with coaches and team managers, who will actually be in charge of conducting the sessions under the new normal, providing their ideas and suggestions.

NLEX tactician Yeng Guiao, for one, has batted for the PBA to push further for resumption.

“It’s feasible when we make it feasible. Dalawa lang ang choice natin – maghintay tayo ng vaccine na hindi natin alam kung kailan darating o gumawa tayo ng paraan (We can either wait for a vaccine for an unknown period or we can look for ways to do it),” he said.

“We have to look for our own solution and be proactive. We’re the least of the problems of the government. Ang dami nilang problema kung sila ang hihintayin natin. We have to start pushing for our own resumption,” he added.

Barangay Ginebra counterpart Tim Cone has called for strict protocol compliance.

“If we can prove that we are doing this the right way, prove to the IATF and the board, I think we can progress to a point that we are playing games,” he said.

Cone emphasized the importance of tapping an uncompromising protocol guy for every team.

“One who’s not intimidated by the players,” Cone stressed.

The PBA has proposed four players, a trainer/coach and a health officer to compose a batch per session. But Games and Amusements Board chairman Baham Mitra said the IATF approved only five pax in areas under general community quarantine.