The PBA announced on Thursday that it will be tying up with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in order to tackle its protocols regarding testing and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, once available.
League commissioner Willie Marcial bared that he spoke with PRC Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon on Wednesday in order to discuss an impending tie-up.
"I was tasked by the [Board of Governors] to procure vaccines from the Red Cross for almost all teams. We might be able to include their families as well. Our deal with the Red Cross was that for every vaccine we donate, we'll also donate another vaccine. I'll write to the Red Cross, to Sen. Gordon, for a certain amount of vaccines that the PBA will buy," mentioned Marcial.
The PRC, according to Marcial, will obtain vaccines from AstraZeneca and Moderna.
Regarding testing, the league is leaning towards the newly-introduced PCR saliva test, which is reportedly almost as accurate as a nasal swab.
Due to the unavailability of the vaccines, Marcial announced that the league was suspending its participation in the upcoming East Asia Super League (EASL).
"We're going to wait for vaccines, so the decision to hold [the EASL] is on hold until. We'll talk with EASL again if the vaccines are available in the future. We're not closing any doors ... I talked to [CEO Matt Beyer] earlier and I relayed what the governors said," recalled Marcial.
Meanwhile, EBeyer is confident of a "quick resolution to vaccine timeline" in the wake of the PBA's decision to defer joining the EASL's home-and-away league this year.
"Following the conclusion of today's PBA board meeting, the PBA decided to pause EASL planning discussions until there is more clarity on distribution of the vaccine in the country," Beyer said.
"EASL supports the Philippines battle against the virus. We're confident for a quick resolution to vaccine timeline and our discussions with the PBA. This isn't day one of our discussions," he added.
On the other hand, practices are set to be in full swing, provided that the teams will secure approval from the Games and Amusements Board and their respective local government units.
From the original four players plus two personnel per training session, five players are now allowed to practice at a given time, and will be joined by five more staff (coaches, safety officers, medical personnel). The Commissioner clarified that scrimmages are still not permitted.
"We'll still follow testing and protocols as well. Some teams are already training after the GAB and their respective LGUs cleared them to practice," said Marcial.
With additional reporting from Richard Dy