PBA looking to get teams practicing in Metro Manila

Rain or Shine is one of the teams holding practices in Batangas City. —PHOTO COURTESY OF PBA IMAGES

Salaries have been restored to their full amount. Next up, getting Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team practices going in Metro Manila.

“We are looking for the perfect time to appeal our case,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial told the Inquirer over the phone on Saturday when asked what the next step was on the way to finally raising the curtains on the league’s 46th Season.

As promised, the league office restored the full salaries of players, coaches and team and league personnel after all squads were finally able to practice in satellite training centers in Batangas, Pampanga and Ilocos Norte provinces.

“The [quarantine classification] here [in Manila] is effective up until the end of the month, so we’re hoping for better things after that,” Marcial said.

The league chief said the PBA leadership is set to meet this coming Thursday to again tackle plans for the 46th Season’s start, the status of its inaugural 3×3 tournament and practice guidelines.

Marcial remained steadfast in the belief that Asia’s pioneering pro league could open right after the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark Freeport, which runs from June 16 to 20.

“At this point, we’re hoping to start by the last week of June or by the first week of July,” the commissioner said.