SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to follow health protocols before resuming its 45th season in a bubble at the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Pampanga on September 26.
A big fan of the PBA since 1983—particularly Crispa hotshot Atoy Co—Go expressed his all-out support for the resumption of the pro league that was stalled last March 11 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“They [PBA] need to follow first the strict health protocols implemented by the government because it is so hard to get sick this time. So after further study, and when they get the approval, that’s the better time to begin the bubble,” Go told the BusinessMirror on Monday in a phone interview on Monday.
The senator from Davao City said he is in constant communication with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial—everyday, in fact—as he supports the league’s step-by-step application with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for the season’s resumption.
“I am willing to assist the PBA. In fact, all communications by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial in the previous months were submitted to me before I informed the IATF,” added Go, the Senate Commitee on Sports chairman.
“If I am willing to be the bridge between the PBA and the IATF, I am very willing to do it,” he said.
The IATF already allowed starting last August 24 individual and small group training for PBA players, but still prohibits collective training specially scrimmages.
Go said that despite being fully supportive of the PBA’s return, it’s still the IATF which has the final say.
The senator said he cannot watch the games live in the bubble because of his hectic schedule as a senator.
“And I don’t like to compromise the safety of all the individuals who will be staying there in the bubble for two months without going out,” Go said.
“I will just watch the games on the television,” he said.
“The PBA is really a big help for everyone, for the people. They stayed for so long in their homes during the quarantine, let’s give them some entertainment. It’s a mental health issue,” he said. “The PBA will help the people fight depression and anxiety.”