THE PBA is lending a big helping hand to collegiate leagues.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said they are aiding the NCAA and UAAP as they try to hold their respective seasons in a bubble.
“Pinag-usapan namin kung ano ang dapat gawin. Nag-meeting na kami last year ng NCAA at kinausap namin about sa protocols,” Marcial said in the recent online Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.
“Last week, kausap namin ang UAAP, si Atty. Rebo (Saguisag) at si Nonong (Calanog). Nag-meeting kami kasama iyong Mancom ko para tumulong sa protocols,” he added.
The hardworking pro league chief added he has shared his wisdom to both leagues as the man at the helm of the PBA’s successful staging of the 2020 Philippine Cup in a bubble in Clark, Pampanga, and last year’s all-Filipino tourney under a semi-bubble set-up in Bacolor, also in Pampanga.
“Sinabi ko rin ang pananaw ko lalo na’t college players iyan. Iba ang isip ng mga iyan sa pro,” Marcial said.
“Kasi iyong pro, hanapbuhay nila. Binigyan ko sila ng sample. Sinabihan ko sila na this week, mag-meeting na sila para sa protocols,” he added.
Both the NCAA and the UAAP are eyeing to launch their new season in March.
The country’s oldest collegiate league pushed through this season with virtual and skills events, with the basketball and volleyball tournaments getting canceled.
Taekwondo and chess were both held online, while alumni from all 10 member-schools participated in All-Star Skills competitions for both basketball and volleyball.
The cancellation of the 83rd season last December marked the first time the UAAP called off a season since World War II from 1941 to 1946.
