With 11 of its 12 teams being school-based squads, the PBA D-League will wait for the return plans of the UAAP and the NCAA before plotting its next move.
Deputy commissioner Eric Castro bared this during Tuesday’s online session of the PSA Forum, which is powered by Smart and presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold, Amelie Hotel, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“Actually, we are waiting for the two major leagues for their announcement of their return. From there, we’ll see in our calendar kung kailan namin pwede i-restart ang D-League,” Castro said.
Competing squads in the 2020 Aspirants Cup are University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Far Eastern University, Mapua University, Diliman College, Enderun Colleges, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, AMA High School, and Centro Escolar University. The only club team in the tournament is Marinerong Pilipino.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, schools like TIP have dissolved their varsity teams.
The minor league vows that the participation fee paid by the teams will be secured, and they will be able to still use it once league operations resume.
“May initial talks na and we discussed it with the board already. All the teams will just have to continue ‘yung participation nila once we restart our D-League. Para siyang naka-deposit muna for the meantime.”
