Guiao says PBA needs to be ‘proactive’ in pushing for restart

FILE — NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao believes the PBA can resume its games, but it has to be “proactive” when it comes pushing for the league’s return amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Guiao said that the league, which was recently given the go signal by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease to start holding practices, should not wait for the government to come up with the protocols to the PBA to be able to return.

“We have to look for our own solution and be proactive,” said Guiao in a report from the league’s official website. “We’re the least of problems by the government. They have so many problems right now. We have to start pushing for our own resumption.”

“The government will always be conservative. They don’t want to be blamed. So if nobody moves, nothing will happen.”

Only the Philippine Cup opener between defending champion San Miguel and Magnolia was played before the league was suspended due to the pandemic last March 11.

Despite the Philippines breaching 50,000 in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, the government allowed professional basketball and football teams to resume practices as long as social distancing is observed.

Guiao, a former vice governor and congressman for Pampanga,  is confident that the league can come up with measures to make sure that players, coaches, management, and personnel are safe despite the resumption.

“It’s feasible when we make it feasible,” said Guiao. “While there’s still no vaccine, let’s try something.”

The PBA had earlier said it aims to ramp up COVID-19 measures as the league nears the restart. Commissioner Willie Marcial is set to meet with coaches and team managers to finalize the details.