Outdoor training OK for NCR+

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday at least one team intends to avail of outdoor individual training in limited batches allowed by IATF in NCR Plus under GCQ “with restrictions.” NorthPort governor Erick Arejola confirmed the Batang Pier is considering to do outdoor workouts without scrimmages in Quezon City and will finalize plans with the Office of the Mayor.

IATF’s decision to place NCR Plus under GCQ “with restrictions” is a step up from the previous “heightened restrictions” but still disallows training or scrimmages in indoor gyms. However, non-contact sports will be permitted in outdoor courts or gyms. The status is up to June 15 after which a decision will be made whether to upgrade or downgrade. “IATF ang magbibigay ng desisyon,” said Marcial. “Kung GCQ na ang NCR Plus without restrictions, pwede na tayo mag 5x5 scrimmages tapos kung maging maayos, baka makahingi na tayo ng clearance to start the season ng mga first or second week of July.”

Marcial said MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos has invited the PBA to promote vaccination and the league is more than willing to assist in any way. Meanwhile, teams are back getting ready for the season. Meralco restarted scrimmages in Batangas City last Friday and will do the closed-circuit, home-to-gym-to-home system until Wednesday. On Friday, the Bolts will return to Laoag for another camp, this time with assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc and Alvin Pasaol who’ll be done by then with their quarantine after arriving from the 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz.

NLEX trains at the Beverly Place Clubhouse gym in San Fernando, Pampanga, this week since the Clark facility will undergo sanitation in preparation for the FIBA Asia Cup third qualifying window starting June 16. Phoenix will train at the STI gym in Lipa, Batangas, starting today. TNT returned to Laoag last night, staying until June 19 and Blackwater began workouts at Splendido in Laurel, Batangas last Thursday. Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra resume practice in Lipa today. Rain or Shine will do camps in Batangas and Splendido this week. San Miguel Beer practiced at the Aquamarine Recreational Center in Lipa last Saturday, rested yesterday and will be back to work today. Alaska restarted practice at the Valentino Resort and Spa in San Jose, Batangas, last Wednesday and follows the closed-circuit system. Terrafirma returns to work out at the Batangas State University gym this morning.