PBA targets June 25 opening

The tentative date to open the PBA’s 46th season is June 25 but it’s far from set in stone as the launch will depend on approval from IATF and that’s contingent on the smooth proceedings of 5x5 practices now being done in three provinces up to May 31 when government is expected to announce new quarantine levels around the country.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said recently he will take up the matter of opening the season with IATF after the May 31 ending of the period where NCR Plus was placed on GCQ with heightened restrictions. The PBA was actually given clearance by IATF to resume 5x5 scrimmages in NCR Plus upon upgrading from MECQ but IATF held back when GAB sought a clarification in light of the condition of heightened restrictions. PBA teams then set up training camp in Batangas (under GCQ with no heightened restrictions), Clark (MGCQ) and Laoag (MGCQ) while awaiting the IATF’s pronouncement on NCR Plus’ situation beginning June 1.

Marcial said June 18 was initially penciled for the launch but delayed it a week to give teams more time to get ready and to make way for the FIBA Asia Cup third qualifying window which Clark will host on June 16-20. The window will assemble nine teams from three groups to play 13 games. The teams are the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea in Group A; China, Japan and Chinese-Taipei in Group B; and Guam and Hong Kong in Group C. Skipping the tournament are Malaysia in Group B and Australia and New Zealand in Group C. The schedule consists of tripleheaders on June 16, 18 and doubleheaders on June 17 and 19.

At the moment, Marcial said he can’t unconditionally declare that the season will reel off on June 25 as planned. If the 5x5 scrimmages proceed without a hitch – and so far, so good, he plans to request a meeting with IATF to propose the start of the season. The scrimmages are being closely monitored by GAB and PBA to make sure of strict compliance with IATF-approved safety/health protocols. Marcial said the period up to May 31 is “make or break” for the PBA because if lapses or positives are reported, it will be difficult to push for the season opening in June.

With a June 25 start, Marcial said the PBA will be able to stage two conferences to finish possibly in January. Both conferences will open with a single round-robin elimination before the playoffs. There will be a five to seven-day interval between conferences. Marcial said audience will likely not be allowed. “Malaking impact ang walang audience pero nasanay na rin mga players sa Clark bubble,” he said. “Hirap sa bubble, magastos at challenging sa mental health. Iba kung may crowd pero dahan-dahan tayo mag-aadapt. Malaking bagay din ang impact sa league income kasi walang gate receipts.” Once NCR Plus is at least under GCQ without heightened restrictions, perhaps games could be played at Ynares Center in Antipolo or Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig under a closed-circuit system.

Marcial said the 5x5 season will start ahead of 3x3. “Pwede natin i-promote ang 3x3 sa coverage ng 5x5,” he noted. “Ang plano ng 3x3 committee chairman Dicky Bachmann ay magkaroon ng four legs kaya baka matapos ang 3x3 after ng 5x5. Ang 3x3 ay dagdag trabaho sa atin at ang estimate ay mga 100 jobs added kung 16 teams. Ito rin ang suporta ng PBA sa SBP under the FIBA program.”