THE PBA welcomes the sight of teams policing their own ranks as far as health protocols in workouts are concerned.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said ballclubs strictly enforcing the league mandated guidelines during training lessen the burden on his office in making sure teams follow the guidelines on workouts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Malaking bagay rin 'yung mismong mga team ang nagpo-police sa mga player nila,” said Marcial on Wednesday.
Phoenix was the first to impose sanction on its personnel when it suspended coach Louie Alas for 15 days for violating team protocols on the first day of the Fuel Masters’ workout.
Alas maintained his actions were ‘unintentional,’ and borne out of his desire to finally see his team back on the playing court after almost four months of being idle following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the sanction, the league doesn’t see any need for it to fine the Phoenix coach.
Besides, there were no complaints or proofs given to the PBA about Alas’ protocol violations.
“Maganda naman kasi yung mga team e, sila mismo ang nagbabantay sa mga sarili nila,” said Marcial. “Wala na (fine). OK na yan.”
At the same time, the commissioner also understood where the veteran coach is coming from, having just gotten back in practice again with the Fuel Masters after a long break.
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