PBA draws up set of protocols on fan return for IATF approval

It looks like the trade that would have sent Simon Enciso (right) to San Miguel Beer from Blackwater will not push through as originally proposed, with sources saying the league will modify the swap. —PBA IMAGES

At the most, only half of the arena can be filled. And everyone who comes to watch must be fully vaccinated.

These are some of the protocols the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to submit to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Monday as it takes another step toward accepting spectators in playing venues.

“The protocols were based on our discussions and discussions with potential venues,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said on Friday.

Marcial, the league’s technical groups, and longtime medical consultant Raul Canlas, huddled on Thursday night, putting together a set of guidelines to govern the return of spectators to playing arenas in the event the league gets a go-signal from the IATF to do so.

The proposal to be forwarded to the IATF will also include recommended protocols by potential venues.

“We’re keeping in touch with the venues. They also have their own set of protocols ready, which are also subject to the approval of the IATF,” said the league chief.

By December

Among these health guidelines were a two-seat distance between fans, a ban on spectators in the gallery area and the purchase of tickets only via online. “Some venues don’t want to do on-site selling of tickets,” Marcial explained.

“If by December, we feel we’re ready, then we’ll just pull the trigger,” he added. “[Submitting the protocols to the IATF early] will save us precious time preparing.”

Meanwhile, Marcial refused to give details yet on the proposed trade between San Miguel Beer and Terrafirma, which would have sent Alex Cabagnot to the Dyip in exchange for Simon Enciso and Roosevelt Adams, saying the deal is still being studied by the league’s trade committee.

However, at least two sources have told the Inquirer that the trade will not sail through as planned, with Terrafirma only willing to part with only one player. Another source said the league will modify the deal to send only Enciso to the Beermen.

The PBA is slated to take the lid off its import-spiced Governors’ Cup on Nov. 28 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, and Marcial is optimistic that the league will hit that target as Mayor Vico Sotto himself already hinted on allowing the games there. This, after the restrictions in Metro Manila have been downgraded to the more relaxed alert level 2.

“I ask for your cooperation: Contact sports are prohibited [unless you have a special permit, such as the PBA],” Sotto wrote in a Facebook post last Wednesday.

Announcement coming

A formal announcement is expected sometime next week, just a few days before the league is scheduled to kick off its first-ever 3×3 tournament on Nov. 20 in a showcase that will pit a total of 13 teams.

Marcial revealed that the league has also reached out to other venues, including its longtime homes Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, along with Ynares Center in Antipolo, its go-to venue for out-of-town games.

All that’s left now, aside from the official go-signal, are for all of the foreign reinforcements to be accounted for.

The commissioner also said the PBA is ready in the event that the National Capital Region sees another uptick in coronavirus cases which could prompt the national government to revert to alert level 3.

“We could go for a bubble setup in Metro Manila if that happens,” he said.

“While that’s another round of making inquiries and securing clearances, we are prepared. We have talked to the teams about such a possibility,” he said. Barring any hitches, the PBA is looking to tab two milestones if it is able to proceed with both its maiden 3×3 tourney and the Governors’ Cup as these are vast improvements from being able to stage only one conference—the Philippine Cup—last year.