A few days before a "community quarantine" was imposed on Metro Manila by the Philippine government, the PBA wasted no time containing the risk of contacting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by suspending its schedule "until further notice."
Here's what we know so far of the league's announcement, its ramifications and how the league might proceed after its self-imposed break.
What is the current status of the PBA season?
Per the league's announcement last Mar. 11, the Philippine Cup -- as well as the D-League Aspirants' Cup and the inauguration of the 3x3 league -- are postponed. The PBA will take its cue from the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WOH) as to when it would be safe to run the course of the 45th season again.
How long will the postponement last?
Commissioner Willie Marcial said in a press conference on Wednesday that they can't possibly determine a timeline yet -- "Malamang mahina na rito three weeks," he said -- and the declaration of a capital-wide quarantine from March 15 to April 14, as well as the raising of COVID-19's alert level to code red sublevel 2, makes that task an even trickier one.
Guidelines set by the Palace, upon recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, binds the PBA even further. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Thursday clarified this includes bans on "mass gatherings such as concerts, large seminars and conventions, sporting events, and social gatherings."
Can't the PBA hold games behind closed doors instead?
That move may still be part of the ban since, according to commissioner Marcial, game days still require "300 to 400" on hand to manage TV and other day-to-day operations. That also includes players and officials.
"We're thinking of everyone's safety, not only that of the players, fans and referees," he said in Filipino.
How will teams and players spend their time until the quarantine is lifted?
A memo signed by Marcial was sent to all teams Friday barring PBA teams holding "practices, scrimmages and other related activities." The commissioner officially backtracked from his comments Wednesday that teams can still practice among themselves, and for good reason: since that press conference, the number of COVID-19 cases have nearly doubled from 33 to 64 as of writing.
Most PBA players and officials may be spending quarantine just like most of us: from the confines of our homes.
What does the delay mean for the 2020 PBA schedule?
This year's schedule might stretch into the first quarter of 2021, admitted Marcial.
"We might finish at around February, March or April," he said. "We're not looking at the impact on the schedule and finances. We're thinking of everyone's well-being. We're not looking at what we're going to lose."
Can't the PBA shorten its conferences and schedule instead?
Marcial said it had already committed a certain number of game days to sponsors, which might make an abbreviated schedule a non-starter, but that's still an entirely different discussion the league could possibly have with the involved parties.
Officially known as COVID-19, this virus is a new strain of coronavirus that has surged around the globe in recent months. The coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory diseases.
Flu is caused by a different virus. There is no vaccine yet for COVID-19, though researchers are working on one and hope to begin testing soon. Older people, especially those with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disease, are most at risk.
The coronavirus spreads mainly through coughs and sneezes, though it also can be transferred from surfaces. The best way to prevent infection is by frequent hand-washing, cleaning surfaces with regular household sprays and wipes, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.