MANILA, Philippines — The PBA now awaits the decision of Pampanga on its request to move camp in the province under a semi-bubble set up following the suspension of play in Metro Manila due to the implementation of the strict enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last week.
A letter has already been sent to Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda requesting for permission to resume PBA action in the nearby North Luzon province, which is currently under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
Three arenas are being eyed as practice and game venues in Pampanga pending the green light from the local government unit (LGU).
The PBA last week received clearance from the Inter-Agency Task Force to resume play in areas under ordinary general community quarantine (GCQ) and MGCQ, like Pampanga, following the upgrade of its previous option Batangas to GCQ with heightened restrictions due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Should Pampanga give its green light, the PBA would shift to a semi-bubble set-up within the vicinity from the closed-circuit setting or home-gym-home routine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Under the plan, the PBA delegation would stay in hotels within Pampanga for the duration of games due to strict border controls in NCR and nearby provinces and while restrictions are still up in the metropolis until Aug. 20 or even beyond depending on ECQ extension.
“That’s the stage where we are right now. We have to comply with the necessary process and protocols,” PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro told The STAR.