The 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup now has a target date for its resumption.
Commissioner Willie Marcial disclosed that the conference could resume by February 11 following Sunday’s announcement that Metro Manila and other provinces will revert to the more relaxed Alert Level 2 beginning February 1.
The capital was placed under Alert Level 3 for practically the entire month of January in response to the spike of coronavirus cases and the Omicron variant, which led to the league voluntarily suspending all of its activities.
“Baka mag-start tayo ng February 11,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
The league has been busy dealing with various agencies since the Board gave its nod for a February return, particularly with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is seeking the local government units’ (LGUs) approval.
Six LGUs, namely Quezon City, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan, serve as homes to the member teams. And their go-signal is needed in order for the clubs to be able to conduct full practices.
Marcial said that MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos was actually set to endorse the PBA to the LGUs in the event that Metro Manila remained under Alert Level 3, but that won’t be needed anymore following the reclassification.
“Kausap ko kaninang umaga si Chairman Abalos, na magbibigay nga siya ng endorsement sa Monday kung hindi maga-Alert Level 2. E nag-Alert Level 2 na. So sabi niya kung maga-Alert Level 2, hindi na kailangan,” he shared.
With this, practices can now begin by February 1 — 10 days before the target resumption. “Magsisimula tayo ng practices by Feb. 1. Maglalabas na kami ng memo,” the fourth-year league chieftain said.
As far as the venue is concerned, the Commissioner’s Office has been in talks with the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, and the Ynares venues, although the league is leaning towards resuming at the Big Dome.
The return of the fans, meanwhile, will depend on the situation.
“Araneta, Ynares, at MOA [ang kausap namin]. Pero mas leaning tayo sa Araneta,” said Marcial. “At baka wala munang fans for the first few days, pakiramdaman natin. ‘Pag okay na, balik na natin.”
The schedule for the conference return will be issued around two to three days before the re-opening date. But the league will still play five games in a week featuring double-headers, according to Marcial.
