Members of the PBA Board convened in one room for the first time since the league was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic last March.
Previous meetings were held online due to the enhanced community quarantine imposed over Metro Manila. In their latest meeting, the league hosted the exchange of ideas in their Viewing Room to ensure social distancing.
"Everyone is upbeat," said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas shortly after the meeting at the league office in Libis, Quezon City.
"How confident I am? The situation is uncertain. It's something we're not in control of. But as we follow the improvement of the situation from ECQ to MECQ to GCQ and with the businesses starting to reopen, you see more, and it gives you hope," added Vargas.
The letter addressed to the IATF was crafted immediately after their meeting, as the PBA will also open dialogues with each team.
"We're reaching out to them (IATF), and we're also having a dialogue with representatives from the teams - most probably two players each," said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.
Vice-Chair Bobby Rosales of the Columbian Dyip clarified that the teams will not participate in contact drills or scrimmages, but merely will focus on their conditioning, per IATF guidelines.
Marcial outlined how the teams should implement safety protocols once Asia's oldest professional league gets the green light from the government to resume.
"Checking of temperature; all health essentials, including alcohol; social distancing; apat (players) per session guided by a safety officer and a trainer; pagkatapos ng session alis agad, walang shower. Then the next batch of six individuals hanggang matapos ang buong teams," cited Marcial.
"We will disinfect the practice venue by hospital standard. When they reach the venue, players must wear their practice uniforms. After practice, there must be a proper disposal of their uniforms. They will need to leave the venue after five minutes," Marcial added in Filipino.
Moreover, swab testing must be administered to all players and personnel. Recently, all players from the San Miguel group tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while Meralco had their tests last Monday.
"Testing is a must. We have to be concerned na secure ang mga players. At alam nilang they're free from the disease," said Vargas.
The fate of the season, however, was not yet discussed and will be when the Board meets again in August.
"We'll meet in August to determine if we can save Season 45 with one conference starting in October," said Marcial.
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