PBA coaches won't be in the gym as league hopes to resume practices

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coaches likely won't be present in the gym once the league gets the go signal to resume practices for its players.

According to a report from the PBA website, the league submitted safety protocols to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for a possible return to basketball activities.

Some PBA coaches, however, are senior citizens and considered at risk of contracting severe illness should they get infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"Baka itong practices, wala pa 'yung mga coaches. Conditioning lang naman ito," said league Commissioner Willie Marcial.

The PBA indefinitely suspended its season since March 11, but there is some hope for a restart as some non-contact sports are now allowed with the easing of lockdown measures.

If practices get the green light, however, only six people will be allowed inside the gym per batch: four players, a trainer, and a health officer. Players will only work out and no practice games will be held.

"Walang scrimmages, walang games, conditioning lang talaga ang gagawin. [Kaya] siguro wala pa talaga 'yung mga coaches," Marcial said.

Coaches and their staff will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing one regular practice eventually resumes.

"May understanding is that kapag untested, they won't be allowed to enter any practices," said PBA Board chairman Ricky Vargas.

Tim Cone, Yeng Guiao, and Leo Austria are among the PBA coaches aged 60 and above. —MGP, GMA News