THE Professional Basketball Association (PBA) announced on Thursday, August 26, that it will release the schedule for Season 46 Philippine Cup play resumption on a weekly basis with either a tripleheader on Wednesday or a doubleheader on Thursday kicking off the tournament restart at the Don Horio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said in a statement on the PBA website that professional hoop action will fire off on Tuesday shortly after getting the results of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for all concerned individuals on Monday.
"It's just like our scheduling in the initial games played at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. Depende sa resulta ng tests," said Marcial.
The tourney is shifting to five playdates a week with triple-bills on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and twin-bills Thursdays and Saturdays. Going with the new schedule format is the antigen testing in the morning of every game day.
He expressed optimism that everyone in the Pampanga journey league will be protected to get it to the season's end in October this year.
"With the strict health protocols to be implemented in a semi-bubble setup, the league is hopeful everyone will be protected, and the tourney can run smoothly until the target end by October," Marcial said.
All 12 teams have settled in their respective camps within the province, with six opting to return to the Quest Hotel inside Clark Freeport Zone. The ball clubs are holding practices in gyms in the cities of Angeles, San Fernando and the town of Mexico.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro led the PBA advanced party to Bacolor town which is adjacent to the provincial capital of San Fernando and Angeles City.
Prior to resumption of the PH Cup 46th season here, Magnolia (4-0) and TNT (3-0) are currently enjoying the upper hand with their clean slates. (JTD)