Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The PBA looked at the bigger picture in coming up with a decision to call off until further notice the young 2020-21 season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the indefinite suspension of the Philippine Cup, the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup and all other activities is the PBA’s way to ensure everyone’s safety and welfare amid the spread of the virus in the country.
“People have been asking me on how will this affect the PBA and I told them that we’re not even thinking that the PBA will incur losses or whatever,” said Marcial in Filipino Wednesday at the PBA office in Libis.
“We’re looking at the safety of everyone—the players, their families, the fans, team officials, media, PBA staff. We want to protect the people first and foremost.”
The PBA Board of Governors, through the Office of the Commissioner, decided to cancel all of the league’s activities starting Wednesday until further notice.
Marcial said that the PBA Board of Governors voted unanimously to suspend the games.
The PBA just opened the Philippine Cup Sunday with defending champion San Miguel brushing off Magnolia, 94-78, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marcial, though, hopes the outbreak gets contained and the league can go back to normal “in three weeks.”
There are already 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines as of posting time.