THE PBA is forwarding before the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) the board-approved protocols which the league hopes to implement if team practices are finally allowed to resume.
Chairman Ricky Vargas and the rest of the league governors unanimously endorsed the guidelines and measures commissioner Willie Marcial presented to them when the board convened at the PBA office on Wednesday.
A formal letter containing the protocols will now be presented to the IATF co-chaired by Congressman Karlo Nograles and Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque for approval.
"Sana nga mabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon ng IATF na makapag-practice na," said Marcial, who was joined by Vargas and vice-chairman Bobby Rosales of Columbian Dyip during a short presscon via video conferencing shortly after the board meeting.
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Despite the National Capital Region (NCR) now under a General Community Quarantine, sports related mass gathering are still not allowed to resume.
"Maybe the commissioner can send it (letter) out by tomorrow (Thursday)," Vargas said for his part. "There are some people who offered to help us to follow this up with the IATF.
Under the proposal, Marcial said the league is adopting measures which he described as much stricter than the ones to be implemented by FIBA.
Only six people, including four players, are allowed per practice session, according to the commissioner.
The commissioner said temperatures of players will have to be taken before the practice, while sanitizers and alcohols will be put in strategic places for use by the teams.
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Practice facilities will also have to be disinfect before and after use.
"Sa isang team apat na players lang, plus trainer and staff officer ang nandoon. So anim na tao lang yung per session," said Marcial. "Pag natapos na, alis na sila, then yung next batch naman ang sasalang.
"Walang scrimmages yan, walang games. Puro conditioning lang talaga."
Players and staff members are also prohibited from taking showers after the workout.
"No shower, diretso alis na sila dapat. Yung practice uniform ilalagay nila sa mga plastic for washing and disinfect," added Marcial.
Most importantly, players will have to be tested.
"Untested players would not be allowed to participate in the practice," said Rosales.
Vargas agreed, adding, 'Testing is a must. Hindi puwedeng bumalik kung walang testing." (RG)
