PBA cancels 2 games due to health protocols

THE young season of the Philippine Basketball Association has hit a snag, no thanks to COVID-19.

On Tuesday, the league announced the postponement of two games pitting Terrafirma Dyip versus Alaska and Talk ‘N Text Tropang Giga against Magnolia Hotshots, after four TNT players are feared to be positive of the virus as the Philippine Cup entered its third playing day.

The decision to postpone was in accordance with the league Health and Safety Protocols approved by the government authorities, according to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

Under that protocols that allowed the league to start its 46th season, all players from the 12 teams, as well as the teams’ respective staff, will have to undergo confirmatory tests every Monday.

The four unidentified TNT players are feared to be either positive or need to be confirmed for Covid-19 under the government-approved health protocols.

The four TNT players and the rest of the team have already been placed in isolation. Since the Tropang Giga had played Terrafirma Dyip on opening day of Philippine Cup last Friday, the Dyip are likewise placed in isolation, although the all of them (Dyip) tested negative.

“They are now isolated and will be tested again. The rest of the team who tested negative are also isolated and will be retested,” the PBA said in a statement.

For the first time in more than a year, there have been some feeling of hope and optimism that the pandemic could finally subside, but experts have warned there is still a concern that new mutations of the virus could prolong the misery and it might be even stronger than we think.

Marcial said he is hoping all players and teams’ staff should have been following the health protocols to the letter.

“Huwag naman. San magtuloy tuloy na to,” said Marcial in a phone conversation with People’s Journal yesterday.

“Nakakatakot and Delta V. Kaya sinasabi ko sa lahat na mag-ingat talaga at sundin ang mga protocols kasi pag nag spike na naman, pwede mag lockdown at walang PBA,” added Marcial.

Nevertheless, there will be a pair of games today under new schedule, with Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters taking on NorthPort Batang Pier in the first game at 3 p.m.

The Aces, who are supposed to play the Dyip today, will instead have the Magnolia Hotshots as their opponent and the two teams will collide in the main game at 6 p.m. at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

The Terrafirma-Alaska tussle and the Tropang Giga-Hotshots meeting will be rescheduled following league guidelines.