Unlike in the National Basketball Association, there were no cases of players showing symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
According to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the league is closely monitoring its players, while procedures have been set in place once anyone in the organization would exhibit any symptoms of the virus.
He said: “We handed out guidelines to all teams saying that if anyone has a fever or any other symptom, they should immediately tell their team doctor.”
“But teams haven’t told me anything yet. I’m in contact through Viber with all team governors every day, and they don’t have anything at the moment,” he added. “I hope no one catches it.”
The PBA commissioner yesterday indefinitely suspended all the squads from conducting practices, scrimmages and other team-related activities after Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine.
He also expressed his support to some PBA players who are raising awareness against COVID-19. PBA continues to hope for the best in the face of the ongoing pandemic.
“You could see our players on social media telling other people to not go out of their houses and sharing protocols laid out by the Department of Health (DOH),” Marcial said.
“For now — and I really hope it stays that way — there aren’t any suspected cases. Even in the PBA family and among members of the media, I haven’t heard any news. Let’s hope that continues,” he added./PN
