Marcial said that once the league has formally received an approval letter from Governor Pineda, all contenders, coaches, and staff will get tested for COVID 19 as part of the preparation in the upcoming practices and competition games to be held in Pampanga.

“May verbal [approval] na. Hinihintay lang natin ‘yung formal letter na approval. Pag um-okay ‘yun, magpapa-test na ang mga teams in a couple of days,” said Marcial.

Also, Marcial somehow implied that the practice could begin as early as next week once the league receives the approval letter, and to be forwarded to Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in accordance with its protocols.

“Kung maaprubahan today or tomorrow, mag-aakyatan na by Monday or Tuesday for practices tapos bibigyan natin ng one week to practice,” Marcial said.

Meanwhile, the final venue for the resumption of the PH Cup 2021 was not yet disclosed as Marcial refused to share the venue’s information.

However, it is said that Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga, is one of the places being considered to hold the games.

On the other hand, the PBA players will strictly follow a semi-bubble set-up wherein the teams will travel from their hotels, also within the Pampanga, to the venue and back.

Also, some teams will stay in Air-bnb accredited places to reduce expenses compared to staying in hotels. 

Nonetheless, the league needs to be aware if Pampanga will be put under a higher community quarantine classification for it is in the IATF’s protocols that the PBA season can only resume in a general community quarantine (GCQ) area.