PBA bars entry of fans once Governor’s Cup resumes

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña                                                                 

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will not allow its fans to enter the designated playing venues once their halted Governor’s Cup returns to action.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the recent development and shared that the Governor’s Cup might be back by the first week of February.

Marcial also shared that fans won’t be allowed during the first weeks of the league’s resumption due to the active cases of COVID-19.

The PBA board has already finished its set meetings with the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, and the Ynares Sports Arena as possible venues of the Governor’s Cup.

“Sa akin, kung papayagan tayo na may audience, mas okay. Pero sa tingin ko, a couple of weeks, wala munang audience,” said Marcial.

Recently, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) already allowed the PBA to resume given that the league will follow a home-venue-home setup for all of its players, coaches, and personnel.

The PBA implemented the same rules last year when they replicated the same format during the last Philippine Cup.

Regarding the team scrimmages and practice sessions, commissioner Marcial explained that GAB already gave the green light to conduct such but they are still waiting for the approval of the LGU via the Metro Manila Development Authority through chairman Benhur Abalos.

“Inaprubahan naman na tayo ng GAB to do the scrimmages and official games. Ang hinihintay ko na lang ang LGUs. Sa LGU, humingi din ako tulong kay Chairman Abalos kasi ‘yung practices, anim na cities ‘yun na magpa-paalam,” added Marcial.