PBA teams resume training

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams are tipped to restart their full practices for the Governors’ Cup on Friday.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said they are now expecting the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) green light for the resumption of scrimmages by tomorrow in preparation for the reboot of the season-ending conference next month.

Marcial said the MMDA is currently in coordination with several local government units (LGU) to assure all training protocols will be followed as the Metro remains under Alert Level 3 until 31 January.

“They are now helping us to get the clearance from all LGU. Hopefully, by Friday we can start our practices,” Marcial said.

In a crucial board meeting held on Monday, the league decided to give all teams at least 10 days to practice and regroup before seeing action around the first week of February.

Marcial said it’s enough preparation period for the squads and their respective imports since they’ve been conducting virtual and small group practices since the league suspended the conference on 3 January.

He also said all players will be required to undergo antigen testing before every practice as part of the PBA’s additional safety protocols.

While eight teams opted to retain their imports, San Miguel, Blackwater and NorthPort will parade new reinforcements in the resumption of games.

San Miguel Beer has brought in Orlando Johnson in the roster, while Blackwater tapped the services of Shawn Glover and NorthPort chose Jamel Gurley Artis.

Johnson and Glover are already training with their teams, while Artis is yet expected to enter the country this week.

“Once they start training, they need to be tested (antigen). Just to keep them safe,” Marcial said.

“We asked all teams and they said that’s enough preparation time for them. They even expected a shorter period actually.”