PBA, other pro plays allowed in low-risk areas

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter Agency Task Force is open to allowing the PBA and other professional leagues and combat sports practitioners to hold competitions in the so-called low-risk areas (modified general community quarantine).

However, tournaments of non-professional sports, like the UAAP and NCAA, may not see the light of day again until there’s already a vaccine for COVID-19.

During the “Kamustahan sa GAB” online program Wednesday, the Department of Health presented the general guidelines on the conduct of contact sports and activities.

“Contact sports and activities for non-professional sports are not allowed anytime until an effective vaccine and established standard of care is put in place for COVID-19 cases,” the DOH said in the presentation.

Pros like the PBA and Philippine Football League may get the chance to play even without the vaccine in low risk areas.

“Provided that the minimum health standards are observed at all times,” the DOH reiterated.

The DOH, Games and Amusements Board and Philippine Sports Commission recently signed Joint Administrative Order 2020-0001, which laid down the guidelines on the conduct of sports during the pandemic.

The order allowed PBA and PFL teams to hold physical conditioning and non-contact strength training sessions featuring a maximum of five participants per batches in areas under general community quarantine (moderate risk areas).

It will jack up to as many as 10 people each group doing the same in areas under modified GCQ with modifiers (moderate risk areas).

The pros’ chance may come in areas under MGCQ (low-risk).

“Practice and actual games for professional sports as well as combat sports may be allowed provided that the minimum public health standards are met,” the JAO stated.

The order further stipulated that participants should have “no symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for the past 14 days prior to resumption of the activity and subject to observance of self-quarantine and strict monitoring of health status after the activity.”

Specific activities allowed for professional basketball are contact drills (for practices) and 5-on-5 games, which the JAO required to have no live audience, just live streaming.

The eyed resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup, of course, is largely dependent on the improvement of the health situation in Metro Manila.