The Philippine Basketball Association has seen its share of spectacular imports perform. But the league will not be bringing in imports to spice of their games any time soon..
With the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world it may take a while before the PBA returns import to reinforce local teams.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said they are focusing on starting the stalled the Philippine Cup of PBA Season 45.
If the league is allowed to start this year or anytime beyond 2020, the PBA chief said they would likely hold just the All-Filipino.
“Posibleng no imports. Ang problema kasi may papayag bang imports na pumunta dito sa atin ngayon? At syempre, may takot din tayong tanggapin sila sa atin ngayon. Makikipaglaro ba ang players natin sa kanila?” said Marcial.
Bringing in imports is simply not a practical endeavor at this point especially with the strict protocols meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“At kung may pumunta man, kailangan pa ng 14-day quarantine period. At pag nagpalit ka ng import, another 14-day quarantine period. So malamang na magsisimula tayo sa pagbalik sa all-Filipino,” Marcial said.
If ever the PBA resumes operations soon we will not be seeing the early return of imports likely 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Best Import Allen Durham of the Meralco Bolts or Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee who led his club to the title.
The PBA honcho is confident of the league’s return especially with the projected restart of other contact leagues overseas, including the NBA with activities set to start July 31.
“Nakikita nila (Task Force) hindi lang NBA, pati EuroLeague, football, yung baseball yata magsisimula na rin. At ibang basketball leagues sa China, Korea. So malaking bagay sa amin yun,” said Marcial.
“Makakatulong yun para ma-convince ang Task Force. Malaking tulong yung mga liga na yun. Maliit man o malaking liga, makakatulong sa PBA.”
