PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) players are more than amenable to the league imposing a hefty fine and suspension to whoever violates health and safety protocols in the Clark bubble that starts on Saturday.
But for many-time national player Marc Pingris, the veteran Magnolia wingman, he would prefer heavier penalties.
“If I were the commissioner, I will increase the fines to make sure nobody will violate the rules. For me, P100,000 is not enough. It should be equivalent to an entire month’s salary,” Pingris told the BusinessMirror on Tuesday.
The PBA will commence what Commissioner Willie Marcial described as baby steps toward the resumption of the shuttered Philippine Cup in March where the league’s 45th season opened with only one regular game.
The PBA board of governors agreed to a season return at the Clark Freeport Zone under strict guidelines.
Players, coaches, officials and staff will be confined in the bubble and will not be allowed to leave. Once once leaves, he couldn’t go back.
Violators will be fined P100,000 outright and will be suspended for five games next season—plus, he won’t be receiving a month’s salary from his team.
Scottie Thompson, the hardworking and versatile 6-foot-1 guard of crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, agreed with the sanctions.
“You are not going to worry about getting the virus if you will not violate the rules,” Thompson said.
Incoming sophomore guard Robert Bolick of Northport shared Pingris’s opinion.
“It should be more than that. You should know how to discipline yourself. Once someone is infected, that someone can infect everyone who is inside the bubble,” Bolick said.
NLEX’s Jay-R Quiñahan, Terra Firma Dyip’s CJ Perez and Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood also agreed with the fines.
“They’re [fines and penalties] good for me in order for everybody to be safe. The players will not only be scared of the virus but also with the hefty fines,” the burly 6-foot-5 burley center Quiñahan said.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year Perez was on the same page saying “I agree with the rule that they will implement. It is really up to us how we will discipline ourselves.”
“It doesn’t matter if I am for it or against it. There’s a rule we have to abide with. What’s important for sure is I am excited to get back with the team. God willing everybody stays safe,” said Norwood, like Pingris, a perennial national team member.
Ginebra San Miguel’s Joe Devance, on the other hand, hoped for some leeway.
“I am hoping there will be some exemptions. Sometimes you know, things happen outside of basketball and you have to be take care of business,” Devance said. “It’s a big sacrifice to take care of business, provide for the family and provide entertainment for the fans.”