PBA announces return of live fans this February 16

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) confirmed that fans who wish to watch their games live will again be allowed this coming February 16, 2022.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial gave the update regarding the matter and happily said that fans may now avail their tickets for the upcoming scheduled games in the PBA.

However, Marcial shared that only 50% of the maximum seating capacity of the playing venue will be catered to the fans as a part of the health and safety protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

Only fully-vaccinated fans will be allowed entry to watch the live games and they must present their vaccination cards as proof.

“The PBA, not the government, did not want to have fans inside because we wanted to take it slow. We saw how it is, so now, we’re a go,” said Marcial.

Marcial also reiterated that the population’s drop regarding the COVID-19 cases and the increase in number of those who are already fully vaccinated also helped in the decision-making of the league.

A good news also for the PBA as the commissioner proudly said that so far, no one in the league tested positive for COVID-19 and majority of the players, employees, officials, and staff, have already received their booster jabs.

“No one tested positive. Everyone is fully vaccinated, there are also players who have booster shots so we started from there,” Marcial added.

Fans will already be allowed entry in the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow when the NLEX Road Warriors seek to rust the Magnolia Hotshots’ untainted record and the San Miguel Beermen clash with the TNT Tropang Giga in the second game.