PBA players, imports get paid during indefinite break–league chief

2021 PBA Governors’ Cup action last December 20, 2021. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league is taking every precaution to take care of its players and imports amidst the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

Marcial added that the foreign and local players are all taken care of and that their salaries are still being paid despite the postponement of games.

“They’re alright and their respective teams are taking care of them,” said Marcial in Filipino. “As of now their salaries are still being paid.”

The PBA was supposed to resume on January 5 after the holiday break but the games were postponed indefinitely after the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Cases hit a low of 22 on December 19, 2021 but went on a surge at the turn the year.

Marcial said only four players, along with a coach and a medical officer, are allowed to train at a time inside their teams’ respective facilities to try and curb the infections among the league’s teams and rosters.

“There are no scrimmages right now because that would just defeat the purpose so we’re really taking extra steps right now,” said Marcial. “We’re only allowing four players at a time inside the gym.”

“Of course I also asked for a bit of understanding from the teams and its owners because it’s still quite a big expense for them because we have imports this conference and the players’ salaries are still being paid.”

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