IATF Gives PBA Clearance To Resume Practice

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has found a supporter in its effort to get the games going. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) just gave the league an approval to resume practices and start preparing for the stalled 45th season later in the year.

Commissioner Willie Marcial expressed gratitude to the agency for approving the guidelines that will pave the way for the start of team training in both professional basketball and football.

The move, according to the commissioner, gives him the optimism the PBA may still be able to return and hold the postponed Philippine Cup.

"Step by step lang. Siyempre, malaking pasasalamat natin sa IATF dahil binigyan na nila tayo ng go-signal para makapag-practice na ang mga teams," said Marcial shortly after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque's announcement last 3 July.

"Kahit paano on-track ang PBA."

The PBA board is set to convene by next month to decide on whether it will resume or cancel the season altogether. Initially, It is looking at a September return after operations were prematurely shutdown last March 11 with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and around the world.

With the latest development, Marcial expects league chairman Ricky Vargas of TnT Katropa to call for a new board meeting.

The commissioner has also set a dialogue with the coaches and team managers of the 12 teams similar to what he had with players' representatives from each ballclub two weeks ago.

By his own understanding of the IATF directive, ballclubs can start practicing anytime, although Marcial said he’s still awaiting word from Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Abraham Mitra and a formal letter from the agency itself.