By Adrian Stewart Co
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is kicking off its season-ending Governors’ Cup this December 8 behind closed doors at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, the games will be held with no fans at the Pasig City venue as he still communicates with various local government units (LGU) for the possibility of allowing fans back to the venue.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has given the PBA its approval to go ahead with the Governors’ Cup but it is up to the LGU if fans are to be allowed.
Among the target venues for the Governors’ Cup are SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon Center, Ynares Center in Antipolo City, and Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
“Kasalukuyan tayong nakikipag-usap sa mga LGUs at tayo ay umasa na mapagbibigyan ang ating kahilingan na pahintulutang makapasok at makapanood ang ating mga fans ng laro,” said Marcial.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic affected the world, the league is holding a conference with foreign reinforcements with a height limit of 6-foot-6.
Defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings will be bringing back tested import Justin Brownlee, while Philippine Cup champions TNT Tropang Giga has tapped the services of McKenzie Moore for its back-to-back title bid.
Meralco Bolts, on the other hand, is tapping the services of Tony Bishop since their resident import Allen Durham is currently signed with Japan’s B.League.
Apart from Brownlee, other returning imports are Mike Harris (Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots), Paul Harris (Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters), Henry Walker (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters), Brendan Brown (San Miguel Beermen), KJ McDaniels (NLEX Road Warriors), and Olu Ashaolu (Alaska Aces).
Aside from Moore and Muhammad, also playing for the first time in the PBA are Antonio Hester of the Terrafirma Dyip, Jaylen Bond of Blackwater Bossing and Cameron Forte of NorthPort Batang Pier./ASC, WDJ