PBA, MMDA team up to get IATF approval for Season 46 start

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial on Sunday paid a courtesy call to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos at the agency’s headquarters in Makati City.

During the brief meeting, the two officials discussed ways to forge a stronger coordination and cooperation particularly during this time of the 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 struggling now because of the pandemic,” Abalos said.
Abalos vows to help the PBA and the basketball industry as a whole.

The MMDA and the PBA will work on some actions to be undertaken which will be acceptable to the IATF.

“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 PBA’s hiatus during the pandemic has affected the livelihood of individuals and their families employed by the sports organization, its member teams, as well as those directly or indirectly involved in the league’s operations.

The PBA has pledged strict compliance to the government’s minimum health standards and to keep the players, officials and all those involved in the conduct of games safe once given the green light to resume play in Metro Manila.