Safety first for PBA

Rosales says league in no hurry

MANILA, Philippines — PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales yesterday assured the players they would only be sent back to training if and when it’s safely possible to do so and with government health authorities’ go-signal.

Rosales made the assurance in response to San Miguel Beer guard Chris Ross’ apprehension on the risk they would face in “rushing” to return to training.

“Walang rush, hindi nagmamadali ang PBA (There’s no rush),” Rosales said in Radyo Singko’s Power and Play program.

The governor of Terra Firma Dyip (formerly Columbian Dyip) cited two factors the board is considering in its restart plans.

He said health and safety of everyone, without exception, is paramount, and second, every action the PBA is planning would require government approval.

It is for this reason the league submitted its training restart protocols to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

“Pag talaga namang hindi safe, hindi aprubahan ng gobyerno, hindi pinipilit ng PBA (If the government says it’s not safe and we’re not approving it, the PBA won’t force it),” said Rosales.

“Ang ginagawa lang ng PBA magplano ng maaga just in case may mga developments na maganda, handa ang PBA (The PBA is just planning ahead in case the situation improves and makes training possible, we’ll be ready),” he added.

Rosales said the board has also tasked commissioner Willie Marcial to meet with two players from each of the 12 teams on June 23 to address such concerns.

“If there are feelings like what Chris Ross said, the commissioner will confer with the players and leaders of the teams to know their state of mind, their thoughts, their concerns,” he said.

Ross earlier took to Twitter to voice his concern.

“Risking personal and family safety so that we can train now for games that won’t start until earlier September?!? What’s the rush? (There’s) no advancement scientifically for the virus,” Ross posted.