By JONAS TERRADO
The chance that PBA teams can resume practices under strict health measures could hinge on President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision on what community quarantine guidelines will be implemented for at least the next 15 days.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque hinted that Duterte is pondering on extending the General Community Quarantine or reverting to a stricter Moderate Enhanced Community Quarantine on Metro Manila with a decision expected to be announced at presstime.
Metro Manila was placed under MECQ from May 16 to 31 before it was downgraded to GCQ on June 1. The government implemented an Enhanced Community Quarantine on the capital from March 16 to May 15.
Under MECQ, only outdoor workouts such as walking, jogging, running, and biking are allowed as long as the social distancing and the use of masks are practiced while GCQ regulations allow the same workouts and non-contact sports.
Barred under both MECQ and GCQ are gyms and fitness facilities which some PBA teams use as practice venues.
The PBA is still waiting for a response from the Inter-Agency Task Force regarding proposed protocols teams will observe once practices are allowed.
Among the guidelines are the presence of only four players, a trainer and a health officer per session, disinfecting of practice facilities using hospital standards and the mandatory testing of teams every 10 days.
If approved, the PBA plans to let teams begin their training sessions in early-July.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial earlier said that their measures are more stricter compared to the guidelines released last week by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Allowing practices could give the PBA a ray of hope as far as the fate of the suspended 45th season is concerned.
The PBA is scheduled to decide on August if it will proceed with the resumption of the Philippine Cup.
