The PBA has put its activities on hold because of the COVID-19, and commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league would work closely with the Department of Health (DOH) to determine the best action needed to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus that has claimed the lives of thousands all over the world and caused cancellations of many sporting events.
Marcial made the announcement on Wednesday at the league’s office in Libis, putting on hold not only the Philippine Cup that opened just on Sunday, but the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup and the PBA 3X3 as well.
“With the help of the DOH, we’ll see what we can do [to help]. That’s why the [league’s board of] governors thought of this because it started with three, then five, then it just jumped to 33 [infected Filipinos],” Marcial said in Filipino at a press conference.
“I don’t know how many there are (confirmed cases) right now, but they thought of this measure thinking of [the safety of] everyone.”
The PBA was the third major sports league in the Philippines that took action against the spread of the new virus, with the NCAA and UAAP already suspending its games. The Philippine Superliga is playing at closed-door venues, an idea the PBA also thought of but ditched in the end.
Marcial added that the team governors thought of imposing a closed-door policy during games, but the sheer number of people inside the venue, and also the contact nature of the sport, made them decide to ultimately postpone the games.
The league’s boss added that even media access to the players wouldn’t be the same if the closed-door policy were put in place, with interviews done in close proximity.