THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is looking at Batangas City as a possible site for 5-on-5 scrimmages and actual games after government dismissed Metro Manila as a potential site because of the high number of Covid-19 cases.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team governor Alfrancis Chua told an online news conference on Thursday that it was Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea who told them in a meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday to exclude Greater Manila Area as an option of opening the league’s 46th season.
Marcial said Batangas City could be an excellent choice.
“I am very familiar with Batangas City because I am from that city. I am familiar with the local government unit [LGU],” said Marcial, adding that LGU’s under modified general community quarantine—including Ilocos Norte and Pampanga—stand as the PBA’s other options.
Chua also said that they have requested the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow the league for now to procure anti-Covid-19 vaccines from the government.
He said San Miguel Corp. ordered for vaccine but they are expected in June or July.
“We will return the vaccines to the government once we receive our own [from SMC],” he said.
Marcial also said they would make the second conference or the import-laden conference to a single robin if the league begins by June or July.
Marcial also reiterated that a two-conference season remains as their target although they have to sacrifice formats to accommodate both tournaments.