GAB chair Mitra says IATF approved PBA Season 46 opening for July 16

Games and Amusements Board chair Baham Mitra said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the proposed opening of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) on July 16.

"The IATF has already approved the resumption of the PBA in their meeting yesterday," Mitra said in a press conference on Friday.

Mitra said the PBA will have their games in the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and will adopt a 'closed circuit semi-bubble' set up.

"There will be no fans. That is what is provided under IATF guidelines since not a lot of people are vaccinated yet," Mitra said.

"There will be a maximum of 100 people [per game]," he added.

The government made the decision with at least 95% of the PBA players already vaccinated against COVID-19.

PBA Board of Governors chairman Ricky Vargas told GMA News Online that the league will hold a special meeting this afternoon to discuss the details of the suggested opening date.

"Sana matuloy na," Vargas added.

Aside from the PBA, Mitra said the National Basketball League and the Women's National Basketball League will also commence on July 17.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang, with reports by Llanesca T. Panti and Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News