PFL still aims to open season this year says Coco Torre

The PFL remains hopeful to have its season begin this year. PFL (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PFL looks to convene representatives from the seven participating clubs early next month to discuss the fate of the season, which has been postponed for so long.

Games and Amusements Board chairman Baham Mitra bared that a meeting within the league has been scheduled for Thursday.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the PFL said that the meeting is really set for early October, although it added that everyone is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila and Cavite.

"League officials led by PFL commissioner Coco Torre are currently discussing with the seven participating clubs the following items: quarantine status of Carmona, Cavite and if the local government unit (LGU) will allow the conduct of contact sports and the feasibility and logistical capabilities of clubs to be under a semi-bubble as mandated by the IATF," the league said.

Unlike Metro Manila, Cavite is still using the old quarantine rules, in which the province is currently under modified enhanced community quarantine, which prohibits the organization of a professional contact sports event.

However, the NCR Plus area has seen a consistent decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases reported, leading to optimism for a more lenient protocols for the said provinces, whether they would still use the old rules or begin implementing the new granular lockdown-based quarantine rules.

On Tuesday, Cavite only reported 711 new COVID-19 cases, dropping to number five in the list of provinces with the most recorded daily additions.

The IATF has yet to announce the new quarantine classifications for all the provinces for October as all the statuses of the provinces, including the granular lockdown system, are set to end by Thursday.

Meanwhile, amid rumors of potentially moving the season to early next year, Commissioner Coco Torre said that the league is still planning to push through with the tournament this year.

“We are doing everything we can to make the League happen this year, despite the realities on the ground,” said Torre. “We owe it to the fans and stakeholders, but at the same time we must ensure the health and safety of our players.”

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