PBA games in Pasig called off

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA has temporarily halted play in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City due to the rising COVID-19 cases related to the Delta variant and the looming tighter restrictions in Metro Manila starting on Friday.

The league yesterday announced the decision “in support of the government’s directive in addressing the unwanted rise of COVID-19 Delta variant infections” with hopes of gaining clearance to move camp in Batangas for the meantime.

Metro Manila or the National Capital Region is set to undergo a strict enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from Aug. 6-20.

Indoor sports venues like the Ynares Sports Arena as well as the home gyms of PBA teams around the metropolis will not be allowed to operate during the said period.

With this, the PBA last week sent a letter to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the Department of Health (DOH) regarding a request to continue its All-Filipino Conference games in Lipa City, Batangas, which is under GCQ.

The PBA awaits that decision from the IATF for now.

Batangas housed the PBA and its squads for their practices since May following the IATF green light on pro-league scrimmages in areas under GCQ and Modified GCQ (MGCQ).