MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots cagers have been tested negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said the players from his three Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams underwent COVID-19 testing recently.
“We are happy to report that all of our basketball players tested negative for the virus,” said Ang. “Our players and employees have nothing to be worried about as we have assured that they will continue to receive their salaries and health benefits.”
According to Ang, the players have gone virus testing as part of SMC’s efforts to test about 70,000 individuals in its workforce, including third party providers, in preparation for the reopening of its facilities nationwide.
“And we have constantly reminded our players and our other employees to strictly follow health protocols during this time,” he added.
Ang stressed that sports are important fixtures in the country but the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 should be carefully considered before resuming contact sports.
“We defer to the government’s wisdom and decision on when team-based leagues like the PBA will return, especially if people’s lives are at stake,” said Ang. “While we all miss the PBA, we need to create first a safe environment to limit the spread of the virus.”
According to Ang, the PBA can be part of the movement for recovery, and one way to do it is to consistently test everyone involved in the league.
He added that strict protocols will be enforced once trainings of his PBA teams resume./PN
