Rafi Reavis, Justin Melton not cleared to play in PBA Govs' Cup due to vaccine rule

Rafi Reavis will not see action for the Hotshots until he gets vaccinated against COVID-19. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--With the PBA returning to Metro Manila for the Governors' Cup, the league would have to adhere to the Metro Manila Development Authority's rule that everyone must be vaccinated against COVID-19 first before swinging to action.

Rafi Reavis and Justin Melton have been affected by the said ruling as they will sit out at least some games in the season-ending conference until they show proof that they got the shots already.

Following the release of the team rosters on Tuesday, it was revealed that the veteran Magnolia center and the newly-acquired Terrafirma guard have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine.

This means that unless they proved otherwise, Reavis and Melton will not see action for their respective teams' first game in the Governors' Cup.

The Dyip will be playing twice this week, first facing the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Thursday before taking on the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters on Saturday night.

Terrafirma will still have a bevy of point guards in its arsenal especially with the arrival of another new acquisition in Alex Cabagnot.

Also looking to step up for the team are JP Calvo and Reden Celda.

Meanwhile, the Hotshots, who made the Philippine Cup Finals last conference, get the perk of taking a full week off, which means Reavis has a lot of time to get inoculated.

But if Reavis is still not cleared for action, the team has a solid big man rotation made deeper with Russel Escoto finally getting to play with the Purefoods franchise.

Also looking to make an impression is 6-foot-10 giant James Laput even as Ian Sangalang remains as Magnolia's main man down low.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno