PBA to resume with stricter COVID-19 testing

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—The PBA will implement stricter COVID-19 testing among its teams once the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup resumes on February 11 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

As per the league’s official website, PBA teams will have to subject to antigen testing during practices.

This is on top of the weekly RT-PCR testing every Monday and an antigen test each gameday for scheduled teams.

“Safety of everyone is primordial, and that won’t change. We hope we won’t have any stoppages to our schedule,” said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. “And that would be a great success for everyone hopefully with great games that will be our offer and treat to the fans.”

The PBA already allowed fans back at the Big Dome in December with COVID-19 cases going down to less than a hundred during the holidays but had to cease play in January when the number of infections spiked and the national government putting Metro Manila under Alert Level 3.

While the league is implementing stricter testing protocols, NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao doesn’t mind the new measures one bit.

“First, we’re relieved because there were apprehensions if the tournament will continue or when we are going to come back and play,” said Guiao. “Second, of course, we’re excited to return because we were actually off to a good start.”

Guiao’s Road Warriors enjoyed a 4-0 start to the conference before losing their first game to Phoenix on Christmas, 102-93.

NLEX, 4-1, sits in third place with Magnolia taking the top spot at 3-0 followed by Meralco with a 2-0 record.

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