Meralco heads to Ilocos Norte despite PBA green light for training in NCR

The Meralco Bolts will push through with their training in Ilocos Norte starting Sunday, the first team to return to practice for the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) 46th Season.

The Bolts are also the first team to head out of the National Capital Region (NCR) despite the league’s go signal to train in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), such as Metro Manila.

Meralco head coach Norman Black confirmed the team's latest move on Friday.

"We will push through with our training in Ilocos. We will leave Metro Manila Sunday morning," Black said in a message to GMA News Online.

The Meralco head coach said they will have their training in Laoag City.

Tomorrow, our team heads to Ilocos for closed circuit training. As the first @pbaconnect team to resume practices, our goal is to lead the way and show how sports and safety can go hand in hand.

Watch this space for exclusive updates on the road! ? pic.twitter.com/j5bsUiICHm

— Meralco Bolts (@MeralcoBolts) May 15, 2021

The team's social media accounts on Saturday also confirmed their Ilocos training.

"Tomorrow, our team heads to Ilocos for closed circuit training. As the first PBA team to resume practices, our goal is to lead the way and show how sports and safety can go hand in hand," the Bolts said.

Teams can hold practices as long as they get the permission of the local government units where they are training. The national government on May 7 also gave the green light to the PBA to hold scrimmages in GCQ and modified GCQ areas.

The PBA allowed its teams to hold practices in Metro Manila after the government placed NCR Plus under GCQ, but "with heightened restrictions," starting May 15.

The league plans to open the season around the middle of June. – Justin Kenneth Carandang with reports from Bea Micaller/RC, GMA News