The PBA is now in talks with the local government unit of Pampanga as it looks for another option to carry on with its paused 2021 Philippine Cup.
Sources have told Tiebreaker Times that the league is now discussing matters with Governor Delta Pineda for a possible return to the province that generously hosted last year’s historic bubble play at the Clark Freeport.
Commissioner Willie Marcial and Co. are finding another recourse to resume. The league will have to shelve its Batangas plans, since the PBA is only allowed to play in areas under General Community Quarantine and Modified GCQ.
That is according to Resolution No. 131 issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), Thursday.
Pampanga is under MGCQ, the second least restrictive form of lockdown among the four quarantine classifications put up by the authorities.
Another source said that the league has convened with the managers of all 12 ball clubs Friday to discuss the plan to return to Pampanga.
It remains undetermined, though, if the league will utilize the closed-circuit set-up or play in a bubble like last year. In the Clark bubble, the entire delegation stayed at the Quest Hotel and play at the AUF Sports and Cultural Center.
The league temporarily suspended 46th season last August 4, with the National Capital Region coming under GCQ-HR from July 31-August 5. The metro is under Enhanced Community Quarantine on August 6-20.
Games would take place at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig prior to the halt, with 26 games played so far since opening last July 16.
