FINDING A FRIEND
PBA gets MMDA backing, advise
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willy Marcial on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos at the agency’s headquarters at Makati City.
During the brief meeting, the two officials discussed ways to forge stronger coordination particularly during this time of pandemic.
Marcial likewise sought clarification and guidance from the MMDA chief regarding existing rules and regulations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on contact sports such as basketball.
“Basketball is the Filipinos’ national pastime. But there is no denying that the PBA is faced with a tough challenge now because of the pandemic,” Abalos said.
Further, Abalos vowed to help the PBA and the basketball industry as a whole.
According to the MMDA chief, they will work on some actions to be undertaken which will be acceptable by the IATF, ensuring that the minimum health protocols being implemented by the government shall be strictly observed and adhered to.
“We have to ensure the safety of everyone, not only the players, but the general viewing public. We cannot compromise the health and well-being of all,” Abalos emphasized.
The pandemic have affected the livelihood of families employed by the PBA as well as its member teams.
The league is eyeing training in Metro Manila as its quarantine status eases to general community quarantine with heightened restrictions.
Meanwhile, Marcial have pledged strict compliance to minimum health standards and keeping the players and officials safe once given a green light.
