PBA initiates donation drive for game day employees

Two days after the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) opened its 45th season, the league was forced to postpone its games amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the country.

According to Chino Gaston’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” the most affected by the postponement is the league’s “per game” staffers or the behind the scenes employees.

With this, the PBA, headed by Alaska head coach Jeffrey Cariaso decided to start a fund drive for the affected employees.

“They complete the platform for us PBA players and teams,” Cariaso said.

Upon finding out about the drive, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial had nothing but appreciation for the people behind the initiative.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo,” Marcial said.

“The honor and gratefulness… there are people out there that are thinking of our PBA employees,” Cariaso said.

COVID-19 has forced the postponement and cancellation of several sporting events in the country including the University Athletics Association of the Philippines, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Philippine Basketball Association.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in the country reached 217 with 17 deaths on Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte has already placed the entire country under state of calamity, allowing the government to tap more funds to contain the spread of the virus. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News