Batangas also eyed as venue

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial is not ruling out the possibility that Batangas City may end up as a venue for the 46th season.

Marcial said in a TV interview that the likelihood of having games in his hometown will depend on the COVID-19 situation and the success of the upcoming PBA practices in the city.

“Titignan natin kung ano sitwasyon,” Marcial said in One Sports’ The Game ahead of Friday’s visit where he and city officials will finalize protocols and other details of the practices.

“Kung successful naman at pinapayagan tayo ng (InterAgency) Task Force na magscrimmages dun, tatanungin natin kung pwede din na baka maglaro ng season or ng conference. Kahit isang conference or 1-2 months,” added Marcial.

Mayor Beverley Dimacuha and fifth district representative Marvey Marino gave the nod for the PBA to allow its team to hold practices in the city’s three venues, including the Batangas City Sports Center where out-of-town games were held in the past.

Batangas City is currently under General Community Quarantine, which allows practices that are divided into groups.

But the PBA has requested the IATF that 5-on-5 scrimmages may be allowed in GCQ areas. Scrimmages are only permitted in places under Modified General Community Quarantine.