The Cancellation of the PBA Season: It's a Possibility

If things don't get better anytime soon, there's a possibility that Filipino fans might not get PBA action for the rest of the year.

For starters, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is looking to revert to the old two-conference format after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the extension of the enhanced community quarantine due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic as the community quarantine is extended until April 30. Now, if we look back, the PBA is targeting a resume of PBA action next month prior to the extension of the quarantine period but given how things are going, not only will there be a possibility that the quarantine period will be extended anew. If things don't improve as soon as possible, the 45th season of the PBA might see a stretched all-Filipino conference. 

Or worse, PBA  fans will have to wait until 2021 for the PBA to get back into action. And yes, that's a scenario that PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is looking at.

According to the PBA commissioner, the league has previously agreed on resuming the postponed Philippine Cup this June and that still depends on whether or not things are already normalizing by then. However, if this pandemic stays active until September, Marcial said that there might nothing left in the season as the players will need an ample amount of preparation time to get themselves back into shape. 

Also, Marcial pointed out that even if the existing community quarantine period doesn't get extended beyond May, there are still lingering questions like whether or not the national government will allow mass gatherings and if, the PBA will get a go-signal to get things running again. He then added that the PBA board will hold an online conference on April 30 to decide on their next move.

In short, it's another round of a "wait and see" game. 

It would seem that the opening night clash between the Magnolia Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen might be the lone PBA game of the league's 45th season. Might.

Photo is from Dugout Philippines