Asean Basketball League COO Jericho Ilagan. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
MANILA, Philippines — The Asean Basketball League on Wednesday officially scrapped its milestone 10th season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the league said that the ABL Board decided to call off the season after deeming that “there is no safe way to complete the remaining fixtures.”
“This decision is not an easy one and has not been made lightly. The overriding factor of our social responsibility, health and the well-being of all our stakeholders was at the forefront of the discussion,” the league said.
“At all times the ABL Board has been conscious of our charter, to provide a high-level regional basketball competition platform for teams to compete and athletes to showcase their skills, while entertaining fans in a safe and enjoyable manner.”
The ABL suspended its 2019-20 season indefinitely on March 13.
The league also said it exhausted all possible options in coming up ways to resume, including a shortened season, but to no avail, as the COVID-19 situation worsened over time.
“As COVID-19 turned into a pandemic, the nature of the league’s operation and fixtures have been severely impacted by the closure of borders and activities in order to contain the virus.”
“With that in mind, the league recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present significant challenges to our operation and safety of everyone, thus rendering completion of the league improbable.”
With the season incomplete, the ABL added it would be impossible to crown a “rightful champion.”
The league said it has now shifted its sights on preparing for the next season in 2021.
“We are determined to find a way forward and return to the courts bigger and better alongside all our teams, commercial partners and fans.”