PBA ties up with GAB in formulating game protocol if season resumes

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Commissioner Willie Marcial and the rest of the PBA board are more than ready once they get the green light for their 45th season.

In coordination with the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), the PBA already planned out the protocols to be observed once the national government allows sporting activities to resume in the time of the pandemic.

GAB, under chairman Baham Mitra, already suggested a two-seats apart in playing venues once the fans are already allowed to watch the live games of the league.

Also, the entire first rows of the venues will be empty with fans prohibited from occupying the area, including the commissioner himself and other VIPs.

“Kami yung sa mga dugouts ng teams dapat disinfected, and kailangan malinis bago pumasok ang mga teams. Kailangan na-sprayan na rin ito (dugouts), pati mga gamit. Tapos may mat din sa pintuan for the shoes ng mga player. May mga securities,” added Marcial.

Part of the protocol is for all the PBA employees and present in the playing arena to wear face masks and practice sanitation such as applying alcohol and sanitizers.

But according to Marcial, the most important measure to be conducted before they resume would be mass testing all PBA personnel, coaches, and players.

“Kailangan may testing para makikita natin na safe ang lahat. Kapag hindi ka nag-test, baka mag-alangan siyempre ang mga players. Pero pag may testing and sinabi mong safe tayong lahat, all-out talagang maglalaro ang mga yan,” emphasized Marcial.