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Duremdes assures MPBL will push through with season

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/sports/04/22/mpbl-kenneth-duremdes-3870.jpg"/><figcaption>MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes (second from left) assures that the season will continue. Handout</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes made it clear that the league&#x27;s Lakan Season will push through with its stalled division and national finals.Duremdes made the announcement on Wednesday as he sought to quash speculations that the league will cancel the rest of its games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.&quot;We&#x27;re going to finish the season,&quot; Duremdes stressed.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/tennis/news/2020/04/21/djokovic-says-may-reconsider-anti-vaccination-stand-67742">READ: Djokovic says he may reconsider his anti-vaccination stand</a></li></ul>As to when the division finals can resume, the commissioner said it will depend on the national government&#x27;s decision on easing up restrictions on the staging of public gatherings, including sports events.&quot;We&#x27;re just waiting for the clearance of the national government,&quot; he said. President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to announce whether the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, in effect until April 30, will be lifted, extended, or modified.While it is expected that a modified ECQ will be implemented, Duremdes said there are still a lot of issues to be tackled before the MPBL can officially resume.&quot;First, we need to advise the four teams (San Juan-Go for Gold, Makati Super Crunch, Davao Occidental-Cocolife, Basilan-Jumbo Plastic) involved since they are all coming from inactivity and the players need to get back in shape,&quot; he said.&quot;Then, we need to consider the stand of the LGUs (local government units),&quot; he added.Other factors to be considered are land travel, resumption of domestic flights, sea travel, and the availability of hotels, restaurants, and game venues.&quot;We can play as soon as the ECQ is lifted, but behind closed doors,&quot; said Duremdes. &quot;Hopefully, the situation brightens up.&quot;Both the South division finals between San Juan and Makati and the North division finals between Davao and Basilan are tied at 1-1, forging Game 3 deciders.Like Duremdes, MPBL founder and chief executive officer Sen. Manny Pacquiao is also bent on finishing the Lakan Season once the coronavirus gets contained.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>).

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes made it clear that the league's Lakan Season will push through with its stalled division and national finals.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes made it clear that the league's Lakan Season will push through with its stalled division and national finals.