NorthPort enters COVID-19 protocols

The Batang Pier have entered the PBA's health and safety protocols. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PBA has already released its schedule for its return week, but one team is missing.

As it turns out, NorthPort has to be isolated for a while.

The Batang Pier have entered the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols as announced on Tuesday.

"The NorthPort Batang Pier basketball team shall not have games this week (Sept. 1-5) in accordance with the league's health and safety protocols," the PBA's short statement reads.

NorthPort last played on July 30 in a nail-biting loss to Ginebra at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Earlier in the day, Commissioner Willie Marcial, who first confirmed the development, said that if the team will be cleared, the Batang Pier can return to action by next week.

The league has set stricter protocols for the resumption of the games like weekly RT-PCR tests every Monday and antigen tests right before the teams' scheduled games.

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