PBA Governors' Cup to resume without fans, Marcial says

Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial on Thursday said that the Governors' Cup will resume sans the crowd amid the COVID-19 surge in the country.

The stalled season-ending conference will restart tentatively in the first week of February.

"'Yung fans hindi na muna. Siguro after a couple of weeks, pag-aralan natin kung talagang puwede na tsaka natin i-accommodate ang mga fans," said Marcial in an update on the league's website. "Pero sa simula baka wala muna."

["The fans won't be allowed yet. Maybe after a couple of weeks, let's review the chances of accommodating the fans again. But at the start, they may not be allowed."]

PBA had allowed a live audience inside the venue when the games returned to Araneta Coliseum last December 15. However, the league had to pull the plug on the Governors' Cup at the start of the year due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Marcial clarified that nothing is certain at this point but said everything will depend on the number of cases in the country, especially in Metro Manila, where the league is eyeing to stage the remainder of the season.

He added that having 12 ball clubs return to scrimmages is the top priority.

"Scrimmages muna ang inaasikaso natin. Kung mai-baba pa 'yan, baka puwede na tayong mag-request na masimulan na ang mga laro."

["We are first making sure that teams start with their scrimmages. But if the cases would further go down, then maybe we can request to start with the games."]

The PBA earlier said that it is seeking the approval of both MMDA and covered local government units to have the teams kick off their respective practices in six cities in NCR.

—Bea Micaller/MGP, GMA News