PBA likely to postpone games during ECQ in NCR

MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) might have to postpone its scheduled games from August 6 to 20, as Metro Manila will be under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Delta variant.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday sporting activities are not allowed during the ECQ, including that of the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup.

“Under IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) guidelines, the PBA is not allowed to continue,” Roque told the Philippine News Agency.

The PBA has yet to announce its plan of action during the lockdown, although one option is to complete its Philippine Cup inside a bubble.

Another option is just to let the ECQ period pass and quickly continue once Pasig, the host city of the closed-circuit tournament, and the rest of Metro Manila are downgraded to the less strict general community quarantine.

Roque said deciding the season-opening conference’s fate is upon the league’s discretion.

“It’s up to them now,” he said.