DOH guidelines awaited for MPBL restart

MANILA, Philippines — MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said yesterday only the DOH guidelines are pending before the league submits its compliance plan to the IATF and LGU for implementation of the Subic bubble to play the postponed deciding games of the Northern and Southern Division semifinals. “Waiting kami sa DOH guidelines at pag lumabas na ‘yun, tuloy na ang Subic bubble,” he confirmed.

The target period for the bubble is March 1-15. San Juan and Makati will face off in a do-or-die game in the Northern Division while Davao Occidental will battle Basilan in another KO duel in the Southern Division. The winners of both contests will advance to dispute the Lakan Cup title in a best-of-five series. The MPBL sought an exemption from the IATF to resume playing although it’s not a pro league, and last week, the IATF gave its go-signal subject to DOH guidelines. GAB chairman Baham Mitra said both the MPBL and PSL of volleyball appealed for an exemption. “Our goal is for all to play na rin,” said Mitra.

Duremdes recently conferred with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial on the availability of MPBL players from the four teams. Mike Ayonayon of NLEX, for instance, is in the San Juan roster. Art Patrick Aquino and Cedric Pelayo of San Juan, Kenneth Mocon of Makati and Philip Manalang of Basilan applied for the coming PBA draft so their schedule will be conflicted if they play in the MPBL finals and the PBA holds its traditional rookie combine on March 10-11. “Maganda ang coordination namin ni Com Willie at aalamin namin kung sinu-sino mga MPBL players sa draft,” said Duremdes.

Marcial said Ayonayon has been cleared to play for San Juan by the PBA Board. He has asked deputy commissioner Eric Castro to confirm who are the MPBL players in the coming draft. “’Di pa natin alam kung matutuloy ang combine, depende ‘yan sa IATF guidelines,” said Marcial. Duremdes said the players in the four MPBL lineups at the start of the playoffs will be carried over to the bubble. Castro said he requested MPBL head of operations Emmerson Oreta for the list of MPBL players whose schedules may be conflicted. “By March 6, they’ll be down to two teams (in the finals) so only then can we double check who are affected,” said Castro.