PBA still hoping to push through with All-Star weekend

MANILA, Philippines, April 13 ------ The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) still hopes to push through with its All-Star festivities, even as the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the rest of its plans for the season. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial told the league website that they still intend to hold the All-Star weekend in Passi, Iloilo. "Hindi basta-basta pwede tanggalin ang All-Star, because it's really for the fans," Marcial explained. "It generates the funds that we turn to the Players Trust Fund." "Kung tatanggalin man namin ang All-Star, kailangan hanapan ng kapalit na event," he added. "Pero mahirap hanapan ng kapalit 'yun." According to the league, the All-Star festivities generate at least P1-M for the Players Trust Fund, which is dedicated to the scholarships of the children of the PBA players. Only one game was played in the PBA Philippine Cup before the league suspended all activities due to the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, Marcial confirmed that they will have to shorten the season to possibly two conferences, instead of the usual three. Were the league proceeding as scheduled, fans would already be voting for their All-Star choices. As it stands, Marcial said they just have to be patient. "We're even thinking of an innovative format for this year's All-Stars," he said. "But all we can do now is to wait, just as what we do for the resumption of Season 45." Source: news.abs-cbn.com/sports