PBA shortens test cycle

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday the league has instituted a new testing protocol, reducing the cycle from 10 to seven days with teams required to submit to PCR swabs every Monday. Marcial explained that the tweak will allow the league to adjust game schedules on Wednesday after results of the Monday tests are turned in on Tuesday.

Four TNT players tested positive for the virus last week, requiring isolation and re-testing. Since TNT played Terrafirma before the results were released, the Dyip was also required to isolate and re-test. The safety protocols led to adjusting the game schedules last Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Aside from four TNT players, all others from Tropang Giga and Terrafirma tested negative. Teams arrange their own testing. The PBA is tested by Red Cross for its staff, officials and referees.

Marcial said the league is investigating if sanctions will be meted out on the players who tested positive. Two TNT players also tested positive in training camp in Laoag before the season started. If protocols are found to have been violated, the league will fine and/or suspend offenders. Deputy commissioner Eric Castro said Terrafirma was cleared to resume playing yesterday and TNT will be back in action on July 30.

In a press conference the other day, Marcial revealed policy recommendations by the PBA Study Group, headed by Board vice chairman Bobby Rosales of Terrafirma. He said the Study Group consulted several sports experts, including Joe Lipa, former commissioner Chito Salud and lawyers Al Agra and Ogie Narvasa, before submitting its recommendations to the Board of Governors for approval. A pending issue is the requirement of Fil-foreigners with Philippine passports to submit Bureau of Immigration and Department of Justice documents in applying for the draft. The Study Group has set an age limit of 30 for Fil-foreigners to join the draft. However, PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza said the Board may revisit the policy on a case to case basis.

Meanwhile, GAB chairman Baham Mitra said even as IATF has upgraded NCR Plus to GCQ with heightened restrictions up to July 31, the PBA is cleared to continue its season with approval from MMDA. “Pro leagues just have to secure clearance from local IATF in order to proceed with their games,” said Mitra. “PBA has clearance from MMDA. VisMin Cup has clearance from provincial IATF.”