PBA chances to resume depend on numbers

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial must be sitting on pins and needles gazing at the COVID-19 chart being provided by government on a daily basis.

The chances of the PBA being able to resume practice sessions this week or next then play actual games by September or October largely depend on the numbers.

“Habang tumataas yan, bumababa ang chances namin makabalik (As the numbers rise, our chances become smaller),” Marcial said.

Automatically, as the number of cases decline, the chances that the PBA can resume play after being halted by the deadly pandemic last March increases.

“Kapag bumaba (cases), tataas naman ang chances namin,” he said.

The numbers the past couple of weeks have not been too encouraging. Last Sunday, 2,241 new cases were recorded as the Philippines surpassed the 67,000 mark.

A big majority of the new cases (1,625) were reported in Metro Manila. It was the fifth straight day that over 1,000 new cases were reported. The death toll in the country has reached 1,831.

“Nakakatakot kung paano umatake and pandemic na ito (It’s scary how this pandemic attacks). We are concerned. Even personally, I’m concerned,” said Marcial.

But the PBA, taking cue from the IATF, is leaving no stone unturned preparing the blueprint for its return to practice under very strict health and safety protocols.

Marcial, however, said things under these difficult times are easier said than done.

“Mahirap. At mas mahirap pag umandar na to (It’s tough. And it will be tougher once we get going),” he told the PSA Forum.

Under the worst-case scenario, the buck stops with the commissioner’s office.

“Sa akin ang sisi, pag nag-outbreak ito, sa akin tatama (The responsibility falls on me),” he said.

Marcial admits losing sleep on this.

“Hindi ka talaga makakatulog.”