The PBA is all set for its 46th season.
Commissioner Willie Marcial is filled with gratitude now that the league will finally get the ball rolling on July 16 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
This became possible when the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) gave the go-signal for Asia’s pioneering pro league to play after seven months of waiting.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating government,” the fourth-year league chief expressed in a virtual press conference Friday.
The league is pushing for a two-conference season, with the hope of staging an import-laced conference after the Philippine Cup.
Schedule will be released on Monday, although Marcial said that the league will hold triple-header games right from the opening salvo.
It could be reduced to double-headers during weekends if the PBA 3×3 finally gets staged after being delayed last season.
Health and safety protocols are similar to what was utilized in last year’s Philippine Cup bubble, but with slight tweaks especially in testing.
“Sa halip na 14-day cycle kami, 10-day cycle na po kami,” said Marcial. “Strict po yung mga protocols namin, kung ano po ‘yung mga dapat gawin.”
The season is projected to end by January 2022.
