PBA and PFL training face delay due to MECQ

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The PBA and the PFL will have to regroup and wait until August 18 after the national government decided to revert Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan back to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

After the medical frontliners of the country appealed to transition from the more relaxed General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to a stricter MECQ due to the alarming rise of COVID-19 numbers, the approved resumption of practices for both the PBA and PFL will have to wait for another two weeks.

“We need to adjust because that is an order from the government, and if they think it will be good for everybody, why not?” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said.

Following the national government’s decision, commissioner Marcial together with the PBA board confirmed that they will cease all operations and will focus on another wave of swab testing of all the players and staff three days before training resumes.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) moved their training schedule to the third week of August at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

“PFF exhorts everyone to observe best practices in combating COVID-19, cooperate with local and national authorities, and be safe and healthy during the on-going state of public health emergency in the country,” the PFF explained.