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PBA teams' scheduled swab testing 'pushed back' as Metro Manila reverted to MECQ

PBA teams' return to practice has been stalled following the reverting of Metro Manila to MECQ. PBA Images (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The PBA has to go back to its schedule board as Metro Manila is set to move back to the modified enhanced community quarantine.

On Monday, Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the supposed swab testing of the 12 teams initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday "will be pushed back" to a later date following President Rodrigo Duterte's announcement on Sunday night.

"We have no recourse but to adjust the schedule of our activities. The supposed swab testing of the players at the Makati [Medical Center] on Aug. 6-7 will be pushed back," said Marcial.

The teams are supposed to return to practice by next week once all the results have been released, but due to the MECQ return, the swab tests and the practices will be postponed by two weeks.

Despite the setback, the commissioner assured that the league will still abide with the government's orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The government knows what is good for us, and we conform with their orders. We will follow the guidelines and will wait for the next word from them with regards to restrictions on whatever quarantine status we're in," Marcial further said, adding that he will inform the teams to wait for future developments.

The PBA board of governors is expected to convene in September to ultimately decide if Season 45, which has been postponed after just one game, will continue on or not, but the MECQ return could have an implication in the board's final say.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_