Coaches and players alike seem to be one in agreement that safety is the first priority before the PBA commences with its 46th season that has been long delayed protractedly due to the rollercoaster virus threat of CoVid 19.
Well, mentors Jeffrey Cariaso and Norman Black of Alaska and Meralco respectively, ahead of their fellow bench tacticians, have voiced their concern that the entire PBA family, for that matter, be inoculated before the tournament officially begins on whatever date the IATF and the GAB jointly approve of.
In a press interview Cariaso said that as much as “we all want to go back to the court and play, it is the safety of everyone which is the priority.”
“We all want to be vaccinated to create a safe environment,” Black for his part said.
The PBA should probably think about suggesting an early October opening, just immediately after the din and dust of the Tokyo Olympics have died down.
The quadrennial world sports event is held during the dry season that is why it is alternatively labeled the “Summer Games.”
Thousands, if not millions of PBA fanatics all over the country, are already “bored” and “dying” to personally be able to watch competitions in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
By October, if the signs of the viral threat that we see today are going down, the IATF and the GAB might just give their green light for the pro league to open before a regulated basketball crowd at the MOA where the health protocols can be strictly enforced as such wearing face masks and shields and social distancing.
In the same manner, local boxing championships may be allowed to be hosted by our local promoters.
All concerned should be able to enforce safety standards and self-discipline especially, because policing their own ranks must be the responsibility of promoters and venue hosts.
In another front, it is very sad that Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum has himself announced the “no-go” world welterweight title match between Manny Pacquiao and his protege Terence “Bud” Crawford supposedly slated on June 5.
Arum said money issues were the reasons as the reported hosting in Dubai by foreign businessmen were not able to coughed up the required prize money.
So, as I had reported in this column many weeks back when I said Mikey Garcia was the likely choice to meet the Pambansang Kamao, the Pacquiao camp is looking back to see if welterweight contender Garcia, a four weight category champion, is still available.
June may still be an appropriate date but would ideally be moved to a later date, maybe last week of the month.
Whatever, Garcia has been saying that he will make himself available because he also already shouted out Pacquiao’s name after defeating Jesse Vargas last February, if I remember correctly.
Manny has been dumped by WBA (champion in recess, whatever this means) for being inactive since defeating Keith Thurman in July 2019.
It doesn’t look good for an 8-division world titleholder like Manny to be scrounging for opponents.
If he is not able to fight Garcia this year, he would be very busy with his political plans to run for the highest post of the land. Filing of COs is October this year. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHIlIPPINES!
