Hefty fines await protocol violators as PBA plans practice restart

FILE – PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines — PBA commissioner Willie Marcial isn’t leaving anything to chance as the league prepares for the resumption of practices scheduled next week.

Marcial said there will be zero tolerance for players who will be caught violating the health protocols imposed by the PBA at the start of team workouts where a closed circuit concept will be observed as agreed upon during last weekend’s board meeting.

“Players should only be in their homes, cars and gyms. They shouldn’t go outside the concept,” said Marcial in Filipino during Tuesday’s PSA Forum.

“If you’re going to the supermarket or drugstores which is inevitable from happening, you need to inform us because we have a daily log book. So there really should be discipline,” he added.

Violators will face corresponding fines of P5,000 for first offenders. The amount will increase by the double for repeating violators.

Those who will violate guidelines during practice will face a heftier penalty.

“Players who will violate protocols in practice will be fined P20K,” said Marcial. “The fine is bigger if don’t follow the protocols in practices.”

The fine will also be doubled with succeeding offenses committed and the health officer in charge during workouts can also be penalized, according to Marcial.

Only four players plus a coach or trainer along with a safety officer will be allowed inside the gym during workouts as team practices will be done per batch.

Those who will be involved during the workouts are required to undergo swab testing before participating in the training.