PBA opening postponement looms anew as 'bubble GCQ' imposed

Commissioner Willie Marcial said that they will re-assess the COVID-19 situation after Easter before deciding on when they can push through with the semi-bubble PBA season. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—PBA commissioner Willie Marcial admitted on Wednesday that the opening of the league's 46th season might need to be moved again.

This, after Malacañang placed Rizal back to the regular general community quarantine even as Metro Manila's own GCQ has been extended for at least four more days due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the said provinces.

The PBA is planning to hold a closed circuit Philippine Cup and its corresponding 3x3 conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on April 18.

But with stricter measures enforced anew in Rizal and Metro Manila along with Bulacan, Laguna, and Cavite, Marcial said that even the team practices have been affected.

"Paano sisimulan eh hinto ang lahat? Mahirap gumawa ng programa at schedule. Kailangan pa niyan mag-praktis, eh paano mag-pra-praktis?" the commissioner said in the PBA website.

Despite the setback, Marcial said that the league is supporting the national government's decision to bring back the GCQ status in Rizal as a means to slow down the recent COVID-19 spike.

He even said that they will not make another inquiry to the Inter-Agency Task Force about the approval of their semi-bubble proposal for the meantime.

"We'll wait for April 5, the end of the two-week IATF bubble. We'll wait for their announcement, then we'll assess the situation," Marcial added.

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