MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is kicking off its season-ending Governors’ Cup this Dec. 8 behind closed doors at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, he is still communicating with various local government units (LGUs) for the possibility of allowing fans watch the games live.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has given the PBA its approval to go ahead with the Governors’ Cup but it is up to the LGU if fans is to be allowed.
Among the target venues for the Governors’ Cup were SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon Center, Ynares Center in Antipolo City, and Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“Kasalukuyan tayong nakikipagusap mga LGUs at tayo ay umasa na mapagbibigyan ang ating kahilingan na pahintulutang makapasok at makapanood ang mga fans ng laro,” said Marcial.
For the first time since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the world, the league is holding a conference with foreign reinforcements with a height limit of 6-foot-6.
Defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings will be bringing back tested import Justin Brownlee, while Philippine Cup champions TNT Tropang Giga has tapped the services of McKenzie Moore for its back-to-back title bid.
Meralco Bolts, on the other hand, is tapping the services of Tony Bishop since their resident import Allen Durham is currently signed with Japan’s B.League.
Apart from Brownlee, other returning imports were Mike Harris (Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots), Paul Harris (Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters), Henry Walker (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters), Brendan Brown (San Miguel Beermen), KJ McDaniels (NLEX Road Warriors), and Olu Ashaolu (Alaska Aces).
Aside from Moore and Muhammad, also playing for the first time in the PBA were Antonio Hester of the Terrafirma Dyip, Jaylen Bond of Blackwater Bossing and Cameron Forte of NorthPort Batang Pier./PN
