Of empty seats and more: How Pinoy sports can cope with closed door games in the future

The concept of games being held behind closed doors is something alien to us Filipino sports fans, as it was a rare sight to see no one in the stands in support of the players and the teams.

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country this year, there was just one instance in the past three years that a major game took place with virtually no fans involved: Gilas Pilipinas' first home game of the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers against Qatar last September 2018. It was punishment for us by FIBA after that brawl against Australia two months before that.

Since that, we all have thought that it will be just a one off, but March 2020 came out as a surprise.

With the virus, the leagues had left with little options. Holding them without no fans was just the only option before the government put the nation on lockdown on March 15.

The UAAP did that in their Juniors' basketball tournament just before Game 1 of the MPBL North Finals between San Juan and Makati on March 9 which had been held with fans involved afterwards. The following day, volleyball's Superliga held without any fans at the FilOil Flying V Centre as a precautionary measure.

Game 2 of the North Finals was held in San Juan was the first time the MPBL played without any supporters in the venue before they suspended play.

So, with that in mind, the scene here in Philippine sports looks like they have already got a cue from these precedents. As well as those in South Korea and Taiwan where their sports have resumed with that kind of a scenario.

With that, here are the things that we should expect from closed door games once it has given the go signal.

- NO FANS. It's already a given. Sports is a social activity which means extreme distancing has been observed,

- ONLY ESSENTIAL PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER AT A TIME. The following are only allowed at the venues during game days: Players, coaches, referees & game officials, accredited media, broadcast production, medical staff and security. With that, contract tracing should be made easier.

- MASS TESTING. While we wait for the vaccine, everyone who is deemed essential shall undergo testing procedures before given a clearance. This is the only effective weapon to flatten the curve for the moment.

Yes, it will be a long shot, but we hope that fans can hope for more time and patience we go back to normal. Sports has that tool to heal and boost the morale of a nation, in this trying times.

Photo by MPBL