#PSAForum: Tolentino bats for athletes' vaccination, despite sports' plans for return

No games are allowed to start if there is no vaccine.

That is what Abraham Tolentino reiterated to echo the stance of Philippine Sports Commission chair William Ramirez in the second half of the Philippine Sportswriters' Association Forum last Tuesday.

The the current leader of the Philippine Olympic Committee is still adamant on his firm stance in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic that halted the entire sporting world, as he even has doubts on those who plan to resume or start play in the middle of the year, especially those in team sports.

"I might recommend, but it's up to the [Inter-Agency] Task Force," said the veteran legislator of Cavite's 8th district, including his bailiwick and cycling hotbed Tagaytay City.

Even with parts of the country including Metro Manila and CALABARZON have downgraded their quarantine levels, Tolentino has personal fears with regards to team sports.

"Personally, parang mahirap pa. Nakakatakot pa, dahil may mga asymptomatic pa," he added, as he still cites the individual sports as those with lesser threats such as tennis.

Multiple reports points to several sports already had their plans already to resume play, with football and basketball set to be most eager to return to action as they cite not just the domestic leagues overseas, but also having their respective draft proposals were in line with their respective governing bodies such as FIFA and FIBA.

On a side note, the hope for the Philippine Basketball Association to get back on the court was boosted where players from San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia were all tested negative for the said virus.

Yet despite his objections to team sports' plans to return, Tolentino is also wanted the athletes, especially those who are bound for the now-postponed Tokyo Olympics, to be given priority once the vaccine is available.

“Definitely merong allocation diyan. Ilalaban natin yun na i-priority natin yung sports of course, because of the Olympics,” he then said.

With the Greatest Show on Earth not held on its usual date for the first time in the post-war era, it all hinges with the availability of it, with a cancellation even a possibility after the said postponement.

“Last postponement na yun. After that hindi na puwedeng mag-postpone, cancellation na kasunod niyan,” the POC chief added.

“Hopefully, were all praying that early next year or late this year, magkaoon na ng vaccine. That will be the only solution na matuloy (ang Olympics).”

Photo is from the Philippine Sportswriters' Association (file)