IT’S final: PBA teams will still be not allowed to conduct full practices and scrimmages in Metro Manila while it is under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions, according to the Games and Amusements Board.
GAB chairman Baham Mitra confirmed the development after getting clarification from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
The PBA recently got the green light to conduct full practices and scrimmages from the IATF in GCQ and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). A grey area, however, arose when the NCR+ bubble was downgraded to a new classification called GCQ with heightened restrictions from May 15 to 31.
The new GCQ category, however, clearly stated that indoor gyms such as practice venues of the PBA teams are still not allowed to operate.
“Hihingi kami ng clarification letter sa IATF and yes, I will confirm that the IATF responded to the clarification letter of GAB saying that there shall be no indoor sports activities,” said Mitra in The Link podcast.
Nevertheless, the PBA is allowed to conduct practice sessions outside the NCR+ bubble with most of the teams now heading to Batangas City to start preparations for the 2021 season.
For its part, Meralco opted to train in Ilocos Norte for 10 days which began on Monday.
“Wala pong practice ang PBA teams within NCR bubble. Now, everyone is preparing to go to Batangas,” said Mitra.
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