THE unpredictable quarantine protocols within the NCR Plus area gives the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) little hope of opening its fourth season as planned by next month.

Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes admitted the steady spike of COVID-19 cases is making it difficult for member teams to start their training in time for the projected June 12 opener given that scrimmages and contact sports are not yet allowed under places and provinces that are under a Modified Enhance Community Quarantine (MECQ).

Nonetheless, the MPBL chief said the league is now doing adjustments on its application for the resumption of operation before the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

“We know for a fact that we’re facing so much challenges regarding our application to resume and yung mga challenges na nilalabas na guidelines ng IATF regarding dun sa status ng mga LGUs. Yun ang nakikita natin na nahihirapan ang liga sa ngayon,” said Duremdes, a member of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, as he makes an update on the status of the amateur regional league in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum online edition on Tuesday.

“Hopefully, ma-approve na tayo.”

Despite the uncertainties, the commissioner disclosed that 19 teams are confirmed of seeing action for the new season, including newcomer Negros Occidental.

Like in last season, Duremdes said the league is looking to hold its games under a bubble set-up in Subic, where it held the remaining game of the conference finals, and eventually, the best-of-five title series between the San Juan Knights and new champion Davao Occidental Tigers.

“Alam natin na yung place is secured and safe. Nakita na rin naman natin dahil nakapag-laro na tayo ng championship,” added Duremdes in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

But with all of the teams still not having the benefit of a complete lineup and practicing as single unit, Duremdes feels it would be difficult to mount a start to the season with just a month of preparations.

“May hopes pa rin ang league, but then again, may mga teams na wala pang mga players at hindi pa nakapag-practice. So in my own opinion, baka hindi tayo umabot ng June 12,” the former PBA great said in the session powered by Smart and Upstream Media as official webcast partner.

In resuming the playoffs last season, Duremdes said it took three months before the league got the approval of the IATF to play the remaining games of the Lakan Cup in Subic.

“So tinitingnan natin If ever hindi maka-start ng June 12, its July or August,” added the 47-year-old commissioner. “Mahirap mag-tantiya ng opening ngayon kasi nga nagbabag-bago ang guidelines ng IATF regarding sa LGUs.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado