MAHARLIKA Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) commissioner Kenneth Duremdes recently divulged that the decision to scrap the 2020-2021 season was a tough one to make.

But in the end, the safety of everyone involved in the league — from the players, the officials, the staff and fans — mattered more than anything else.

The MPBL issued a memorandum last Monday that announced it was forgoing its initial plans to go through with a season this year, instead opting to push its plans for the next season to June 12, 2021.

Duremdes said the decision-making process went through several stages, which included a consultation with league founder Manny Pacquiao.

Representatives from every team of the league were also consulted regarding the matter.

“Collectively, we decided to have a meeting with our founder and CEO Senator Manny. Then just recently, we came up with a resolution for everyone. I can say majority of their concern is the safety, health issues of everyone and that includes the players, the fans and the venues,” said Duremdes in a podcast.

“Na-consult naman yung mga teams, but syempre, may mga teams talaga they want to play. Alam naman natin na may mga teams talaga na very passionate at gusto nilang magkaroon ng mga tournaments, but right now, hindi nga tayo pwedeng magpalaro dahil bawal pa talaga. So we have to follow the rules and the guidelines of the government first and foremost,” he said.

Duremdes disclosed that in the end, they just couldn’t take any chances with the threat of Covid-19 looming over everything.

“It’s very dangerous, and that will be a big responsibility of the league. Ang hirap because you have to handle everything. There are suggestions that everyone must undergo testing before playing and we can do that also in one venue. Para ma-monitor lahat, ma-quarantine lahat ng involved. But it’s easy to say. It’s really hard to execute.” / JNP