By Waylon Galvez

With the continuing health crisis the country is facing, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Policy Board has announced the termination of Season 95.

Peter Cayco, chairman of the NCAA Management Committee from host school Arellano University, announced the decision Thursday.

“This was arrived at after consultation with Policy Board members,” said Cayco in a statement.

Cayco said that board president Francisco Cayco of Arellano University got the backing of the nine other schools to out an end to the season, which was on its second semester sports.

Volleyball games were supposed to resume last March 16 after its initial cancelation on February 13.

The other scrapped events are high school volleyball girls, men’s football, lawn tennis and soft tennis, track and field, 15-under basketball and beach volleyball.

The league’s Cheer Leading Competition is also part of the league’s calendar supposed to be held on March 30.

Cayco said that the most important thing for the NCAA is the welfare of all the people involved during the games.

“First and foremost that was considered was the safety of the athletes, students, fans, and officials,” said Cayco. “Eligibility matters of athletes being raised shall be discussed later.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena remains in training but is on the lookout for a new place to stay in coronavirus-ravaged Italy, according to the Philippine Track and Field Association (Patafa).

Obiena, the first Filipino to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics has been based there the past few years and Patafa president Philip Juico bared on the phone that “Italian authorities (have) ordered EJ to vacate the dorm at Formia.”

The Manila Bulletin sought more information from Juico but got no response even up to presstime.

Since the whole of Italy is on lockdown, there is no way Obiena, 23, who took the gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, can return to the country and reunite with his parents.

Nonetheless, Obiena and a few select athletes are the only ones allowed to use the training facilities.

“So far training goes on and things are still going well for the preparation. We are one of the lucky ones who can still train with the current lockdown,” said Obiena.

With the Tokyo Olympics under threat of being postponed or even scrapped, Obiena admits the situation has affected those concerned.

“It’s a bit of a stress that we were definitely not prepared for. I’m not gonna stop preparing as things are still a go at the moment but we already have a contingency plan,” he added.

Obiena, an Engineering student of the University of Santo Tomas, secured an Olympic berth after topping a tournament in Europe last September and is one of four Filipino athletes who have made the Olympic grade.

The others are world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Irish Magno.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

NBA players didn’t deserve to be criticized for taking coronavirus (COVID-19) tests while much of the nation had limited access to testing, National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts told ESPN on Wednesday.

According to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, eight teams have undergone testing.

Roberts said the tests were warranted given the fact that players and teams have been exposed to others who have the virus. At least seven NBA players have tested positive.

Roberts told ESPN, “There’s nothing irresponsible — if you’ve got that information (that you’ve been exposed) — about trying to get the tests.

“The problem that more of us can’t get the tests — and I’m not apologetic about saying it — in my view, that rests at the foot of the federal government. They were responsible for making sure we were protected in that regard, and I think they failed.

“We shouldn’t be fighting about this now … but once this is done and we get through it, and we will, let’s figure out who screwed up and fix that.”

The Utah Jazz were tested on March 11 in Oklahoma City after center Rudy Gobert was found to have the virus, news that prompted the NBA to cancel that game and shut down the entire season. Silver told ESPN Wednesday the Jazz were ordered by Oklahoma City health officials to be tested, not that the league or team requested tests.

The Oklahoma City Thunder players subsequently were tested, with the team saying Wednesday in a statement, “Recognizing the stress on the state of Oklahoma’s medical system, the Thunder did not use state resources and chose an alternative path for testing of its personnel.”

This week, the Brooklyn Nets had all of their players tested after several players and staff members reported symptoms of the virus. Four players tested positive, though only Kevin Durant has been publicly identified as being one of the four.

The Nets issued a statement that their tests were done through a private company and paid for by the team.

The Los Angeles Lakers, the last team to play the Nets, underwent testing Wednesday. It is unclear which other teams have been tested.

The Nets’ test drew the ire of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who tweeted, “We wish them a speedy recovery. But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested for COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested. Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick.”

Roberts responded on ESPN, “I get it. People should not be having to wait in line. The at-risk population should be the first to be tested. But god damn it, if the government had done what they were supposed to do, we wouldn’t be competing for an opportunity to be tested.”

She added, “To be perfectly candid with you, if I was at the arena in OKC when the announcement was made, when the game was canceled, I would be concerned.

“In many ways, I think it would have been irresponsible for the teams not to test their players and staffers because people in that arena have the right to know if they’d been exposed.”

Silver also defended the teams who were tested, telling ESPN, “I, of course, understand (de Blasio’s) point in that it’s unfortunate we’re at this position as a society where it’s triage when it comes to testing. And so the fundamental issue is obviously there are insufficient tests.

“I’d only say in the case of the NBA, we’ve been following the recommendations of public health officials.”

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Reuters

While the NBA champion Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets quickly received coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, the general public has been left waiting, sparking a backlash over privileged athletes’ and celebrities’ access to care.

“We wish them a speedy recovery. But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested for COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested,” tweeted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio after it was reported the Nets had been tested and four players were isolated after positive coronavirus results.

“Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick.”

As the coronavirus spreads and the United States deals with a shortage of test kits, the public has grown increasingly disgruntled over the ease by which professional athletes get tested while others displaying symptoms are forced to wait.

The highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the virus has now infected close to 8,000 Americans while the death toll has climbed to at least 145.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in an interview with ESPN on Wednesday, said he could understand de Blasio’s concern but the bigger one was that there are not enough tests available and that the league was simply following protocol.

“I of course understand his point and it’s unfortunate that we’re in this position as a society that it’s triage when it comes to testing,” said Silver, adding that eight full teams as well as individual players have been tested. “And so the fundamental issue is there are insufficient tests.

“But we’ve been following the recommendations of public health officials.”

USA Today reported last week that after Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus, 58 members of the Jazz organization were tested.

Infected players

So were the Oklahoma Thunder, the team the Jazz were scheduled to play last Wednesday, and the entire Toronto Raptors travelling squad who were concerned they might have come in contact with infected players during a visit to Salt Lake City on March 9.

The Los Angeles Lakers, the last team to play the Nets before the NBA season was suspended, announced on Wednesday their players were also undergoing tests for COVID-19.

The ability of NBA teams to secure tests on demand has drawn the wrath of fans on social media.

“The thing is that is always the case. The rich will always get it first and the poor will always get it last,” tweeted @thedrsec, who has over 23,000 followers and a radio program on 22 stations across seven states.

President Donald Trump waded into the issue during a news conference on Wednesday when he was asked, “How are non-symptomatic professional athletes getting tests while others are waiting in line and can’t get them? Do the well connected go to the front of the line?”

“No, I wouldn’t say so,” said the president. “But perhaps that’s the story of life. That does happen on occasion, and I’ve noticed where people have been tested fairly quickly.” In most cases the ability of teams to get their players tested has had more to do with money and going through private labs than state-run public health departments and jumping the queue.

The NBA also defended the speedy action as a way of preventing the spread of the virus with testing of players drawing it to the attention of young people.

“The NBA’s move to halt its season led the way for other leagues and raised awareness of the threat of the virus,” said Silver.

“My sense was that especially among young people, people were not taking these protocols very seriously until we did what we did.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Wednesday that players and staffers who were tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) all received negative results.

The tests were performed after consultations with health officials indicated possible exposure to COVID-19 due to the team’s canceled March 11 home game against the Utah Jazz.

Rudy Gobert of the Jazz was learned to have tested positive for coronavirus shortly before the scheduled start of the contest. He was not at Chesapeake Energy Arena and wasn’t around Oklahoma City players and staffers.

Fellow Utah All-Star Donovan Mitchell was also revealed to have tested positive the following day. He was on the court and interacted with his teammates and the Oklahoma City players as well as others near the court.

The Thunder said they are focused on the health and safety of the community.

“Recognizing the stress on the state of Oklahoma’s medical system, the Thunder did not use state resources and chose an alternative path for testing of its personnel,” the team said in its statement.

Detroit Pistons forward Christian Wood and four members of the Brooklyn Nets have also tested positive for coronavirus. Injured star Kevin Durant is the only Brooklyn player to reveal a positive test.

The Nets announced the news of their positive tests on Tuesday, and that prompted the Los Angeles Lakers to undergo testing on Wednesday. The Lakers’ final game before play was suspended was March 10 against Brooklyn.

The Los Angeles Times reported that most of the Lakers’ players who are still in Los Angeles were tested at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo, Calif.

ESPN reported the players remained in the car while the tests were administered.

One person tested told the Times that the test took about 10 seconds.

According to published reports, the Lakers’ players are under self-quarantine for 14 days.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Field Level Media-Reuters

Despite not yet knowing exactly when his sport will return to action, NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN on Wednesday that the league is considering several scheduling options depending on how long the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown lasts, including a potential charity game.

In a nationally televised interview, Silver opined on how the league could best handle its eventual schedule once games are again deemed safe enough to play.

Among the considerations include the safety benchmarks for restarting the league again with fans as normal, how to play games “and operate as we’ve known it with 19,000 fans” in league venues without concern of spreading the virus.

Silver admitted perhaps it would be better for games to begin first without fans, so as not to overreach and possibly endanger fans, players and league personnel before being completely certain the coronavirus would not be spread.

“Because, presumably, if we had a group of players, and staff around them, and you could test them and follow some sort of protocol, doctors and health officials may say it’s safe to play,” Silver said.

Silver then brought up the idea of a charity game, one that would not affect the regular season, in order to raise funds while proving a respite for those itching for a welcome distraction from recent events.

“One of the things we’ve been talking about are,” Silver said, “are there conditions in which a group of players could compete — maybe it’s for a giant fundraiser or just the collective good of the people — where you take a subset of players, and is there a protocol where they can be tested and quarantined and isolated in some way, and they could compete against one another?

“Because people are stuck at home, and I think they need a diversion. They need to be entertained.”

Silver openly shared that all ideas are on the table these days since the league suspended its regular season last Wednesday, even potentially pushing the annual league calendar to December through August instead of October through June, as some have suggested.

Among other topics, Silver defended the eight NBA teams that have been tested for coronavirus — saying they were simply following orders from health officials, not getting special treatment despite so few tests being readily available.

He also said it was premature to reveal any specifics over the fates of end-of-season awards — such as MVP trophies, scoring titles, etc. — if the league fails to resume its 2019-20 regular season.

Silver seemed more concerned with the next steps for the league on the floor and how the NBA could help the nation make a move toward normalcy.

“As I look at the options, maybe we can do this incrementally, and the first step isn’t games with thousands of people in the arenas, but maybe it is just games,” Silver said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Tito S. Talao and Waylon Galvez

Kevin Durant and three of his Brooklyn Nets teammates, according to reports, became the latest NBA players who tested positive for COVID-19 even as the sporting world shut down openings, playoffs, championships and entire seasons in a bid to help curve the widespread malaise which has killed almost 8,000 in 165 countries.

Over here, as various leagues, from the Philippine Basketball Association to the UAAP and NCAA, closed down indefinitely their schedules and put a period to their calendars, athletes, coaches and utility personnel have been advised, along with the general public, to stay indoors, practice sanitation and exercise extreme caution.

In the PBA, specifically, Commissioner Willie Marcial, in consultation with the Board of Governors, led by Chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa, suspended the first conference Philippine Cup after only one game, setting aside initial plans to hold the games behind closed doors.

Team practices were allowed initially. Consequently, however, with the government putting Metro Manila under community quarantine, the PBA decided to forbid gym work and scrimmages as well, instructing ballclub members and personnel to stay indoors for a two-week period.

With the return to normalcy still uncertain, the PBA continues to clamp down on activity by its players even as it monitors with concern the COVID-19-related reports coming from the NBA and other foreign leagues.

The general consensus from the PBA governors is that sufficient measures have been taken by management of the 10 ballclubs, and that it would be premature to even consider compulsory testing at this stage.

Here’s what they said:

RICKY VARGAS (TNT KaTropa)

We’ve encouraged all to observe the following rules and protocol moving forward: 1) Guesting attendance, birthday parties, socials, personal events, concerts, should be avoided; 2) Report immediately to our team physician Dr. Navarro or Dex Aseron any flu like symptoms from yourself or your family; 3) Absolutely no travel to or contact with restricted countries that have reported 100 plus cases of coronavirus; 4)No visitors will be allowed during practice; 5) Report to the team manager visitors from foreign countries; 5) All travels foreign and Local require prior approval from the Governor and team manager; and 6) Avoid hand shakes, high fives, selfies, signing autographs and crowded areas.

ERICK AREJOLA (NorthPort Batang Pier)

Aside from the suspension of games and practices set by the PBA, we also have our own guidelines to make sure safe lahat ng members ng team. Number one is stay home. Kung hindi kailangang lumabas, huwag muna. Second is to keep us updated. Example, kung may nararamdaman or anything even sa family, sa household.

Do we need to test to make sure? If may symptoms, yes. But so far, and hopefully, no one gets any symptoms among the PBA family.

AL PANLILIO (Meralco Bolts)

We have very stringent measures that we have given the team aligned not only to the Meralco company guidelines but also from the MVP Group guidelines. We are making sure that all our employees are safe and their security is our primary goal.

There’s no need to test. You normally need to do contact tracing if there is an identified contact with an affected person. That’s also the WHO guidelines.

ROD FRANCO (NLEX Road Warriors)

We’re implementing the same protocols on our team that is similar to the company (MVP group). About the hygiene, washing hands, using alcohol, disinfectant. Also, as much as we want every member of our team to stay home, we can’t check on everybody. What we want is full disclosure, meaning, just inform management if you went somewhere especially if it’s a high-risk place.

The decision of the board [to suspend the games] is open-ended. We didn’t say it’s going to be just one month, but of course our hope is after one month there’s improvement. But in case, we can extend the suspension depending on the situation because our priority here is the safety of all the stakeholders – players, officials, fans and everyone involved in the PBA.

ATTY. MAMERTO MONDRAGON (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)

We’re implementing the same guidelines and rules similar to other companies like social distancing, keeping healthy, washing hands, using alcohol. Kung lalabas, umiwas sa mataong lugar.

We’ll just follow the PBA’s advisory regarding the resumption or extension of the current suspension. The commissioner is in constant communication with board members so any decision is guided by the board.

ALFRANCIS CHUA (San Miguel Corporation sports director)

I think the NBA didn’t expect they were going to get hit [by the virus] that fast. Sa’tin, alam natin na meron na dito. Sa SMC, for instance, other than the washing of hands, alcohol and taking of temperature, boss RSA [SMC president and chief executive] actually had faucets installed everywhere.

Sa SMC teams [San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia Hotshots] after the PBA suspension was announced, the governors were told that it was no longer about just taking care of their teams but taking care of their families as well. Yung mga players were also told, pag lumabas sila puwede rin tamaan pamilya nila.

We have a Viber group and the players’ movements are monitored. I don’t think they need to be tested though as long as they don’t have symptoms. Di naman itatago ng players yon kung me nararamdaman sila.

At any rate, boss RSA has already ordered yesterday 10,000 or 20,000 kits ata for the company, kung sino mangangailangan.

As for the resumption of the games, hanggang di tayo clear, di puwedeng umpisahan ang laro. We can’t sacrifice the safety of everyone, especially the fans. Pag sinabi mo namang closed doors, e mga 350 to 400 na tao din involve don – 2 teams, TV crews, PBA staff. Isa lang tamaan don, puwedeng maghawa-hawa at dumami.

DICKIE BACHMANN (Alaska Aces)

I think the PBA board came up with the protocols on how to handle the situation. We communicated this with the players and the coaching staff. We also came up with a video, posted three days ago, on how to help the public handle the situation.

With the Alaska Aces, basically we stopped practice and focused on home workout. We also communicated to the players, coaches, even ball boys, if they feel any symptoms, to call the team doctor right away. So far naman, there’s none.

SILLIMAN SY (Blackwater Elite)

In our last board meeting, Chairman Ricky Vargas offered the guidelines, measures and protocols that their teams and companies will be using.

So we adapted that together with several notes to our players. We are all aware of the hygiene, so what we put emphasis on is to stay home.

Since there is an enhanced community quarantine, all team members are advised not to go outside unless it’s very important.

ATTY. RAYMOND ZORRILLA (Phoenix Super LPG)

Even prior to the President Duterte’s announcements on a Metro Manila and subsequently Luzon wide community quarantine, management has already suspended all our team practices and activities until further notice.

We are prioritizing the health of the players, coaches, staff and their family’s safety above all else.

We also reminded our Team that they are all professionals and it is everyone’s sole responsibility to take care of their health while keeping in shape and ready to play once we resume practice.

We also reminded them to keep in touch and inform Management if they do not feel well or may have experienced some symptoms so we can make the proper arrangements for their well being.

This is also in compliance and in support of the stand of the PBA to suspend practices for everyone’s sake.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo is doing well in Tokyo amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, his mother Angelica told the Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

Angelica said she spoke with her 20-year-old son on Monday to check up on how he was doing as most Filipino athletes here and abroad had been advised to be more cautious in the wake of the pandemic.

Yulo has been training and studying in Japan for several years as part of his long-term preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

He qualified for the Games last year during the FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany where he made it to the all-around event finals and won the floor exercise gold medal.

“Okay naman po sila dun,” Angelica said. “Tuloy pa din po ang training niya pero hatid-sundo po siya ni coach Mune (Kugimiya) para maiwasan po niyang mag-bus and train.”

Angelica said Yulo is in strict compliance of his Japanese coach’s instructions not to go out unless necessary even if Tokyo is not on lockdown. School is already over at this time in Japan.

“Bawal po siyang gumagala-gala,” she said.

Basic essentials are also being provided for Yulo and his coach to protect them from the virus. As of this writing, 805 people have been infected in Japan with 102 coming from Tokyo.

“Kumpleto naman po sila sa mask, alcohol, (mouth) gargles and most especially Vitamin C. Pinapag-take ko po siya,” Angelica said.

Yulo is one of a handful of Filipino athletes abroad the PSC has been closely monitoring as the global health crisis prompted several countries to shut down their borders and restricted their travels.

While many clamor for the postponement of the Olympics, Tokyo organizers have so far remained firm with pushing through with the Games in late July.

Meanwhile, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion said Yulo has been recovering from a mild wrist injury he suffered from a recent tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“It will be back to normal in a week,” she said of Yulo’s injury.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Ceres-Negros and Kaya-Iloilo have been forced to put their AFC Cup campaigns on hold after the Asian Football Confederation announced the suspension of all matches in the continental tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AFC made the announcement Wednesday as the pandemic continues to affect participating clubs whose countries have imposed stricter measures against the spread of the infectious disease.

Though the statement mentioned that the tournament is postponed “until further notice,” it was also stated that the decision will cover all matches in March and April.

“The decision, which was also made in conjunction with the competing clubs and their respective Member Associations, is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of all participating players and teams, match officials and spectators as well as designed to protect the integrity of the competition,” the AFC said as part of its statement.

AFC Statement on #AFCCup2020 matcheshttps://t.co/Nb7joWLfrv

— #AFCCup2020 (@AFCCup) March 18, 2020

The announcement came a week after the AFC suspend all matches in the West Zone due to the pandemic, though matches from other zones were held behind closed-door.

Ceres defeated Indonesia’s Bali United 4-0 last week at Rizal Memorial Stadium minus the presence of fans while the same arrangement was implemented when Kaya-Iloilo battled PSM Makassar to a 1-1 draw in Jakarta.

“The AFC had earlier postponed all AFC Cup West Zone Group Stage matches on March 12, 2020 and the latest decision applies to all matches in March and April across the five AFC zones,” the AFC said.

“In the meantime, the AFC will closely monitor the situation before deciding when to recommence the 2020 AFC Cup season,” the statement added.

Ceres currently leads Group G with seven points while Kaya is second in Group H with five points.

The decision came days after the opener of the Philippines Football League, one of two domestic competitions participated by Ceres and Kaya, was moved to April 18 due to the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

The International Olympic Committee acknowledged Wednesday there was no “ideal” solution to staging this summer’s Tokyo Olympics as the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic swept the globe.

“This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional solutions,” an IOC spokesperson said after criticism from top athletes that they were being forced to take health risks should the July 24-August 9 Games go ahead as scheduled during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The IOC is committed to finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes, while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes’ health.

“No solution will be ideal in this situation, and this is why we are counting on the responsibility and solidarity of the athletes.”

Earlier, Olympic pole vault champion Katerina Stefanidi and British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson both voiced concerns after the IOC said it was “fully committed” to running the Games as scheduled from July 24.

“The IOC wants us to keep risking our health, our family’s health and public health to train every day?” Stefanidi tweeted.

“You are putting us in danger right now, today, not in 4 months.”

Source: Manila Bulletin