August 26 ------ BARANGAY Ginebra was the first team to hit the practice gym as PBA teams resumed training on Tuesday. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the Gin Kings trained as early as 7 a.m. at the Upper Deck Sports Center on the first day of the league’s return to practice following the go-signal of the Inter-Agency Task Force.
Rain or Shine followed at 8 a.m. at the Reyes Gym, with Alaska and Blackwater training at the Gatorade Hoops Dome and Aero Gym respectively at 9 a.m. Defending champion San Miguel also had its training at the Acropolis Gym at 10 a.m. The teams were split into small groups as part of the strict health protocols of the league which only allows four players to train along with supervision of one trainer and one health officer. The training sessions are also limited only to conditioning.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the Commissioner’s Office will be strictly monitoring the practices. “Ready na kami mag-practice. Most of the teams are preparing following the very strict protocols that have been set up by the PBA, the Board of Governors, and the Commissioner. Our commissioner will police the process. His task is go around the practice areas to watch over the protocols of the teams. We are ready,” said Vargas during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
Vargas said the PBA also created a medical committee chaired by renowned doctor Raul Canlas to review all protocols and monitor the practices. “We all agree that safety first pero we are also competitive. We all want to start even one hour earlier than the other team,” said Vargas in jest.
Source: spin.ph