The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) said on Tuesday that it will indefinitely postpone its All-Filipino Cup games in an effort to assist combat the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.
From July 30 to August 5, the National Capital Region was placed under a general community quarantine with heightened and additional restrictions.
Since July 16, the league’s games have been held in the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The PBA announced in a statement that games will be suspended beginning August 4 “in support of the government’s directive in addressing the unwanted rise of COVID-19 Delta variant infections, and its announcement of placing the National Capital Region (NCR) under GCQ with heightened and additional restrictions from July 30 to August 5.”
From August 6 to 20, the NCR will be placed under the strictest quarantine classification, enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The PBA has already asked permission from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to continue the Philippine Cup games in Lipa, Batangas, and is awaiting a response from the organization.
In the weeks preceding up to the start of the season, PBA clubs staged successful practices in Batangas.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that sporting events, including the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, are not permitted during the ECQ.
“Under IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) guidelines, the PBA is not allowed to continue,” said Roque.
The Magnolia Hotshots lead the team standings with an undefeated 4-0 record as of Wednesday, followed by the TNT Tropang Giga with a 3-0 record.
The Meralco Bolts (4-1), San Miguel Beermen (3-1), Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (4-2), NLEX Road Warriors (2-2), Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings (2-2), Alaska Aces (2-3), North Port Batang Pier (1-3), Phoenix Fuel Masters (1-4), Terrafirma Dyip (0-4), and Blackwater Elite round out the standings (0-4).