PBA halts player movements, to decide fate of season by August

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Board of Governors on Saturday night unanimously approved a proposal to suspend player movements as its 45th season is put to a halt due to the implementation of the community quarantine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The decision was made during an online conference held on the same day.

According to the PBA website, transactions such as trades and signing up free agent players are not allowed while the season is on hold.

"The only transaction allowed is re-signing players whose contracts have lapsed," said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.

Teams have the option not to sign the players with expired contracts right away amid the suspended season. However, once practice resumes, they are only given five days to make a deal, otherwise, a player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

The Board also agreed to wait until August before making a decision on the fate of the season. "Maghihintay kami until August to decide whether it's still a go or a season cancellation," Marcial said.

Last April, the PBA Board discussed the possibility of trimming the season to just two conferences following the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

With mass gatherings still not allowed under the enhanced and general community quarantine, the league's decision to resume the season will depend on the government's green light to lift the said ban.

The PBA suspended the games since March 11 and has only played one match, with San Miguel winning over Magnolia, 94-78, during the season's opening day. — LA, GMA News