PBA commissioner Willie Marcial stressed Wednesday they will wait and follow the guidelines and protocol of the government as to the resumption of PBA play.
The league honcho said he can very well understand a recent statement of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire as he himself would not risk the safety of PBA players, officials, fans and everybody involved in the pro league.
"Malungkot. But that's the reality, mahirap ibalik agad ang sports because, for one, there's the social distancing issue to be followed," said Marcial.
"One can say our players are strong enough to be hit by COVID-19. Yes, pwedeng kaya ng mga malalakas ang katawan, pero paano pag-uwi nila sa bahay at daladala nila ang virus, baka ang pamilya nila ang tamaan. And that's a big, big concern," Marcial also said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force has been saying it will take sometime before mass gathering is allowed even when the enhanced community quarantine is lowered down to general community quarantine.
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Philippine Sports Commissioner chairman William "Butch" Ramirez has said he will recommend individual sports be allowed to play upon the lifting of the quarantine period.
But Vergeire said not all individual sports could be allowed, mentioning golf where golfers play in a flight accompanied by caddies.
Much more is basketball.
And that's why the PBA commissioner is ruling out resuming play even before empty seats, saying regular double-headers gather no less than 300 individuals.
"Kahit ang double-header natin eh nagdra-draw ng mass gathering," he said, adding it's better to wait before making a definitive decision by August.
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It's either a one-conference season or PBA Season 45 cancellation. (SB)
