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PBA to implement a 'no vax, no play' policy as Governors' Cup gets under way


The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to implement a 'no vaccination, no play' policy as it opens the curtains for the 2021 Governors' Cup starting on December 8 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

League commissioner Willie Marcial made the confirmation, saying the mandate came from a memorandum by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) with the cooperation of local government unit (LGU) mayors in NCR.

"A player who has yet to be vaccinated can't enter the playing venue. Players are not even allowed to train with their teams if they are not vaccinated," Marcial told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

"It came from MMDA and LGU mayors---those LGUs where we will hold our games."

In the list of the team lineups that PBA released on Tuesday afternoon, Filipino-Americans Justin Melton of Terrafirma and Rafi Reavis of the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots were both marked as among those who have yet to receive the vaccine as of December 7.

 

 

The commissioner added the same policy applies not only to the players but to coaches, employees, media, and everyone looking to enter the venue as well. He also added that they will require fans to get inoculated once live audiences are already allowed.

"Everyone is required to get vaccinated. Everyone who wishes to enter the venue, even fans."

—JMB, GMA News

Tags: pba
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