Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial has said that this latest delay in their plans to eventually return to game action is nothing but a “short detour.”

PBA teams were slated to return to practice in small groups next week after their scheduled swab testing on August 6 and 7. However, that plan has been shelved following the imposition of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status on the rest of Metro Manila.

However, Marcial said the league respects the government’s decision and they will abide with their rules. However, he also mentioned this new development will not derail them from their plans to return to play before the year is over.

"The government knows what is good for us, and we conform with their orders. We will follow the guidelines and will wait for the next word from them with regards to restrictions on whatever quarantine status we're in," Marcial was quoted as saying on the league’s website.

"As for the 14-day return of Metro Manila to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), I look at it as a short detour that we'll pursue in the hope of getting our teams back in the gym at the right time," he added.

A region that is placed under MECQ status means that the only sports activities that are permitted are non-contact individual workouts such as walking, running and biking.

With the health sector calling for a “timeout” due to the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR), the government made the call to place the area under MECQ, thereby curtailing the plans of professional teams to return to practice.

"We have no recourse but to adjust the schedule of our activities. The supposed swab testing of the players at the Makati Med on Aug. 6-7 will be pushed back," said Marcial. (JNP)