PBA Governors' Cup likely to be delayed as teams await arrival of imports

The 2021 PBA Governors' Cup could be facing a minor delay as some of the imports have yet to arrive in the country with only 10 days left before the projected opening on November 28.

League commissioner Willie Marcial stressed that they are still looking at unfurling the conference on the 28th but with only five reinforcements in the country so far, they could be moving it within the first week of December.

To date, only NorthPort's Cameron Forte, Terrafirma's Antonio Hester, Alaska's Olu Ashaolu, San Miguel's Brendan Brown, and NLEX's KJ McDaniels have entered the country.

"I think only five imports are here so far and all 12 imports should be complete before we open the Governors' Cup," Marcial told GMA News Online in an interview.

"It's not really a major delay because it's still within our calendar. What's important is we complete all the imports before we open again the season. We're hoping to have them by next week or the week after that."

Marcial added that they are looking at staging the season-ending conference in multiple venues, similar to what the league was doing before the pandemic. The official said he already had a meeting with the management of Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday and said both parties are now reviewing the health and safety protocols needed for the games.

Marcial added that he is also set to sit with the management of Mall of Asia Arena next week and as well as Ynares Center in Antipolo City and FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

"Once the conference starts, it's hard to hold the games in just one venue. So, gradually, we're returning to our normal activities where we hold games in multiple venues," he added. — LA, GMA News