PBA still targeting April opening of Season 46 despite spike in COVID-19 cases

The PBA is a adopting a wait-and-see approach with regards to the opening of its 46th season which is scheduled to take place at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal on April 18.

League commissioner Willie Marcial admitted that everything remains in the balance after the national government announced on Sunday, March 21 that the National Capital Region along with the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan will be placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from March 22 up until April 4.

According to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, only essential travel is allowed in areas under GCQ.

“Tingnan natin. Abangan natin after April 4 kung ano na ang desisyon ng gobyerno. From there, doon tayo magsisimula kung paano,” said Marcial on Sunday.

The league initially set the opening of the 2021 season on April 9 to coincide with its 46th anniversary. It was then moved to April 11 and now April 18.

Marcial bared that the league’s board of governors might hold a special meeting shortly after the Holy Week.

A total of 7,757 new COVID-19 cases were registered on Sunday, the third consecutive day that more than 7,000 cases were recorded. The country logged the highest-ever on Saturday with 7,999 people getting infected following Friday’s 7,103.

“Kaya nga malalaman natin yan lahat after April 4. So talagang concerned tayo sa buong bansa. Kaya kailangan talagang magdasal hindi lang para sa opening pero para sa ating lahat,” said Marcial.

“Pero hoping pa rin ako na this April matuloy pa rin tayo,” added.