The PBA has asked the government for help for its own vaccination program as the league eyes to boost its chances of finally launching its delayed 46th season.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr may provide assistance to the league in procuring coronavirus vaccines.

Marcial and San Miguel Corp (SMC) sports director Alfrancis Chua met with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Bong Go on Wednesday, April 28 to present plans for the upcoming PBA season.

“He will help us get vaccines which the PBA will pay for,” Marcial said of Galvez in Filipino in a press conference.

“That is aside from the vaccines our teams are trying to obtain.”

San Miguel Corp and MVP Group, which each own 3 teams in the PBA, are both in the process of acquiring COVID-19 vaccines for their employees.

Chua said PBA teams will use vaccines either from their mother companies or the government, whichever comes first.

“We can probably ask if we can use the vaccines from the government if theirs arrive first,” Chua said in Filipino. “Then when our vaccines arrive, we can give it to them.”

Aiming for a June opening, the PBA needs the number of coronavirus cases in the country to drop first, as per the condition set by the government. (READ: PBA season hinges on decline of COVID-19 cases)

Chua said having the teams and league staff vaccinated might increase the possibility of kicking off the season sooner than later.

“When we get vaccinated, I think it will be easier to ask the government to allow us to play because our players already have protection,” Chua said.

A two-conference season is still being considered by the PBA, with the league pushing for a closed circuit setup. – Rappler.com