The PBA Board is set to convene next week to decide on the fate of Season 46, which is stalled anew by the latest coronavirus (COVID)-19) surge.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the crucial meeting will likely determine the direction that the league will head, with the hope, of course, that it can continue to play on amidst another challenge imposed by the health crisis.
“Kausap ko si [PBA] Chairman Ricky Vargas, magtatawag kami ng board meeting next week para pag-usapan na kung anong dapat gawin, kung saan patungo ang PBA,” he told the PSA Forum webcast, Tuesday.
The PBA has paused the Governors’ Cup until further notice due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases. And the amiable executive had earlier said that February will be a crucial period for the league’s hopes to resume activities.
Just recently, though, the league has gained the endorsement of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), led by Chairman Baham Mitra.
The country’s regulatory body for pro sports is backing the league’s resumption under a Type C bubble, which is a home-venue-home set-up.
“Kausap ko si Chairman Mitra last Sunday, sinabi niya na nag-endorse na sila ng letter sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na payagan tayong maglaro sa tinatawag nilang Type C bubble, yung home-venue-home,” he said.
“Nag-endorse na sila. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya, malaking bagay sa’tin yun,” Marcial added. “From there, titingnan natin kung anong gagawin. May kakausapin tayo, magco-consult na rin tayo sa iba.”
Still, there remain other options for the league in returning to action. And all that will be thoroughly discussed in the upcoming meeting.
“‘Pag nag-meeting kami next week, malamang ‘yan na yung fate ng PBA kung saan tayo patungo,” Marcial said in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, MILO, Amelie Hotel, Braska Restaurant, and PAGCOR and has Prime Edge as webcast partner.
“So ano ba, tutuloy ba natin? Di natin tutuloy? Anong gagawin natin sa imports? Anong gagawin natin sa players? Ano nang gagawin?” he added. “By next week, siguro may konti ng liwanag kung saan tayo papunta.”
