THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is adopting a number of measures that will help the league become vibrant anew.
The 46-year-old league will dialogue with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on having the fans back in the playing venue for the coming Governors Cup.
The PBA Board of Governors also approved a policy for Filipino-foreign players to only present a Philippine passport to be available for the rookie draft.
These are some of the fresh developments announced by Commissioner Willie Marcial and Board Chairman Ricky Vargas in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
Marcial said he will meet with the IATF in the coming days to discuss protocols to be implemented for the import-flavored conference and to request to the agency that the league be allowed to have the fans back after playing two consecutive conferences in a bubble setup without a crowd.
“We’ll ask the IATF if having the fans back will be allowed and if how many,” Marcial said.
“It’s a joyous occasion to see the fans back,” Vargas told the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
“We’re excited about the second conference. It’s going to be a conference with imports, and we’re looking forward to having our fans back,” Vargas said. “That’s our wish. It’s been two years. We’re looking forward to having them again as part of our tournaments.”
The second conference is tentatively set for a November 28 opening depending on the arrival of all 12 imports. What is certain is the inaugural PBA 3Ă—3 tournament on November 20 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“That’s another milestone,” Vargas said of the launching of the league’s first three-a-side event.
Vargas also said that besides a Philippine passport, Filipino-foreign players will also be required to secure a certification from the Bureau of Immigration and affirmation from the Department of Justice.
“We will basically look at Fil-foreigners less stringently now,” said the TnT governor. “As long as they have Filipino blood and they can get their passport, they are able to come and play for us, we will look at them with less rules to disqualify them.”