Guiao: PBA resumption could give hope to Filipinos amid pandemic

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines — Multititled head coach Yeng Guiao believes a potential resumption of the PBA season amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is bigger than basketball.

Guiao said a PBA return would be a shot in the arm for Filipinos during the lockdown.

“May mga naririnig na tayong mental issues, depressions, lungkot, anxiety. Tingin ko if we can provide some entertainment, makakatulong tayo sa issue na ito,” said the NLEX Road Warriors mentor in a story on the PBA website.

(We’ve been hearing about mental issues, depressions, anxiety. I think that if we can provide some entertainment, we’ll be able help with these issues.)

“May lockdown fatigue na nga. That’s the price we have to pay for now. But we can contribute na kalimutan panandalian ang sitwasyon. And if they can see na nakakagalaw na ang PBA, makakapagbigay ito ng hope and set direction. Makakatulong tayo as a league,” he added.

(There’s already lockdown fatigue. That’s the price we have to pay for now. But we can contribute by helping people to not worry too much about the situation. And if they can see that the PBA can work around it, it could bring hope and set direction. We can help as a league.)

The country has been under community quarantine since March 15, just four days after the PBA called a halt to its 45th season due to the deadly virus.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial had said the league will decide on the fate of the 45th season by August.

Some sporting leagues in different parts of the world, including the Bundesliga in Germany, have already returned by holding games in empty stadiums.

“There are many concepts and ideas already being discussed. There’s the Germany model for their Bundesliga which has already resumed,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas coach.

“Little by little, the PBA will make a protocol. They already have proposed protocols. They’re already talking about it right now. I’ve already talked with the commissioner about some ideas. I kept referring them to the models abroad.”