SBP fully adopts FIBA resumption guidelines

The SBP will fully abide by the FIBA guidelines on resuming basketball action during the pandemic. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The SBP announced on Monday that it will completely abide to the guidelines set by FIBA regarding the resumption of basketball events stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter sent to stockholders and media entities, SBP president Al Panlilio said that the guidelines should be used as a reference by all leagues as they craft ways to bring back basketball despite the health crisis.

"These guidelines are meant to be used as reference and aid when various leagues, tournaments and games organizers in the Philippines craft their own respective Return to Basketball programs depending on the circumstances surrounding them in their own localities," Panlilio said.

While the SBP will fully adopt the FIBA guidelines, a minor adjustment to it is that the SBP will also consult to the guidelines set by DOH and the Inter-Agency Task Force regarding risk and mitigation assessment aside from the one made by the World Health Organization.

"Note that FIBA itself points out that its guidelines are 'not intended to replace the guidance and restrictions of governments and public authorities,'" Panlilio added.

Among the guidelines set by FIBA is the mandatory polymerase chain reaction testing to professional players for them to be cleared for practice and the gradual transition of training from the individual phase to small group drills until the teams can practice again in full force.

[Related Story: PCR testing for all pro ballers part of FIBA restart guidelines]

The PBA specified that only four players at a time can do individual conditioning with one trainer and one other staff member in the first phase of practices.

[Related Story: PBA board sets up guidelines for team practices during COVID-19 pandemic]

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno