PBA board plans shortened season due to COVID-19 pandemic

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The PBA Board is set to hold an online meeting to discuss the plans for how the league would go through their scheduled games and conferences this season.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioner Willie Marcial and the rest of the board was left with the option of suspending the current conference to observe safety measures also directed by the Philippine government.

To compensate for the delayed schedule, the PBA board is considering the cancelation of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup and the possibility of a two-conference season format.

With no definite and specific time table presented as to when the league will resume basketball operations, Marcial said that June would be the most convenient date with all the consideration and preparation in place with the rest of the teams.

“Ang nakikita kong pinaka-maagang balik ng PBA ay June. Kasi even if the country is able to flatten the COVID-19 curve in April or May, I have to give our teams a month of practices before we resume play,” said Marcial.

However, the board will still tackle all the issues concerning the scheduling and is yet to release the final decision after the online meeting.