MANILA – Right on the eve of the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) return to action, the league announced that NorthPort has entered the health and safety protocols it has set amid the pandemic.
With that said, the team will not be in action at least for the first week of September.
"The NorthPort Batang Pier basketball team shall not have games this week (September 1-5) in accordance with the league's health and safety protocols," the PBA said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
NorthPort last played on July 30 in a nail-biting loss to Ginebra at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Earlier in the day, Commissioner Willie Marcial, who first confirmed the development, said if the team would be cleared, the Batang Pier could return to action by next week.
The league has set stricter protocols for the resumption of the games, such as weekly reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests every Monday and antigen tests right before the teams' scheduled games.
PBA action will finally resume after almost a month of postponement at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Wednesday.
Blackwater and TNT will clash in the first game of a triple-header at 12:30 p.m.
In the second game at 3 p.m., CJ Perez will clash with his former team as San Miguel battles Terrafirma.
In the nightcap at 6 p.m., league-leading Magnolia looks to stay on top against Meralco.
A doubleheader will then happen on Thursday with NLEX taking on Alaska at 2 p.m. and Rain Or Shine battling Phoenix at 4:35 p.m.
The Hotshots and the Bossing will collide to open the Friday triple-header at 12:30 p.m. followed by the 3 p.m. clash between the Gin Kings and the Dyip and the 6 p.m. showdown between the Tropang Giga and the Bolts.
The Fuel Masters and the Road Warriors will kick off a Saturday twin bill at 2 p.m., followed by the 4:35 p.m. game between the Aces and the Beermen.
Then on Sunday, Terrafirma takes on Blackwater at 2 p.m., Meralco battles Ginebra at 4:35 p.m., and Magnolia clashes with TNT at 7 p.m. (PNA)
