Before the PBA could consider a return to Metro Manila, the league would have to assess the viability of holding games there, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos confirmed that the National Capital Region has changed its quarantine classification to general community quarantine "with heightened restrictions" from September 8 to 30.
"We will study what will happen by September 30, because Chairman Abalos said that the three Cs are not yet allowed," explained the amiable Marcial.
"Close contact, closed environment, and [going to] crowded areas. That is why we will have to wait for the decision [of the IATF], because we can't just move to NCR that easily and see community quarantine get raised again," he added, also stating that playing basketball violates the three rules.
In the new schedule released by the league, NorthPort Batang Pier finally return to action and make their debut at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Thursday against the Blackwater Bossing.
Magnolia, meantime, opens up Wednesday's action against the red-hot NLEX Road Warriors at 12:30 p.m., while TNT looks to extend its six-game win run against San Miguel at 3 p.m., and Rain or Shine faces defending champions Barangay Ginebra in the nightcap at 6 p.m.
The Meralco Bolts and Alaska Aces were not included in the Week 2 schedule, much like NorthPort in Week 1.
Here are the rest of the games scheduled for this week inside the "semi-bubble":
NorthPort will make their DHVSU Gym debut this week; Alaska and Meralco not on the schedule. | @philipptionary pic.twitter.com/dSZiossk6F
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 7, 2021