PBA in danger of postponing games as NCR goes back to ECQ

A postponement of the PBA games is looming as Metro Manila will be placed under a circuit breaker lockdown by mid-August. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The PBA might need to postpone its games within the period of Aug. 6-20 as Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced on Friday that Metro Manila will be under the enhanced community quarantine due to the threat of the COVID-19 Delta Variant.

Roque confirmed to Dugout Philippines right after announcing the update on the province's quarantine status that the league must not hold games during the so-called "circuit breaker lockdown".

"Under IATF guidelines, the PBA is not allowed to continue," Roque said.

Any sporting activity is not allowed during ECQ even as everyone is advised to stay at home unless they have an important errand outdoors.

The PBA has yet to announce its plan of action during the lockdown, although one possible option is to complete its Philippine Cup inside a bubble.

Another option is just to let the ECQ period pass and quickly continue once Pasig, the host city of the closed circuit tournament, and the rest of Metro Manila returns to the general community quarantine, hopefully by Aug. 21.

Roque said that deciding the season opening conference's fate is upon the league's discretion.

"It's up to them now," he further said.

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