San Miguel Corporation (SMC) said all players belonging to its three Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams are free from COVID-19 after undergoing testing last week.
"We are happy to report that all of our basketball players tested negative from the virus," SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang said in a press release.
Ang added that while sports, particularly the PBA, is an important fixture in the country, the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 virus should be carefully considered before any decision to resume contact sports in particular.
"We defer to the government's wisdom and decision on when team-based leagues like the PBA will return especially if people's lives are at stake. While we all miss the PBA, we need to first create a safe environment to limit the spread of the virus," he said.
He added that the PBA can be part of the movement for recovery efforts by consistently testing everyone involved in the league. Ang said their group will continuously monitor the health of its players and the rest of their employees.
"Our players and employees have nothing to be worried about as we have assured that they will continue to receive their salaries and health benefits. And we have constantly reminded our players as well as other employees to strictly follow health protocols during this time," he added.
The SMC chief also assured that protocols will be enforced should training for their players resume in the coming months.