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ABL ends 2019-20 season, citing virus concerns; 2021 campaign still in play

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ABS-CBN News

<p>The ASEAN Basketball League on Wednesday said it is calling it a season, four months after competition was halted because of the novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic.</p><p>In a Facebook post, the league&#x27;s board deemed &quot;there is no safe way to complete the remaining fixtures.&quot; </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aseanbasketballleague/photos/a.354653618770/10158355925638771/?type=1&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> </div><p>The ABL, which was celebrating its 10th year, was one of many tournaments that were either suspended or scrapped entirely as COVID-19 fears swept across the world.</p><p>The league used a home-and-away format, showcasing squads from Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Macau. </p><p>San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, coached by Jimmy Alapag, was the lone Philippine club.</p><p>The ABL, broadcast locally exclusively via ABS-CBN&#x27;s S+A channel, acknowledged that &quot;the nature of the league’s operation and fixtures have been severely impacted by the closure of borders and activities in order to contain the virus.&quot;</p><p>Action was stopped in the middle of the regular season, thus the league categorized the 2019-20 season as incomplete.</p><p>The league said it was planning to return to action for an 11th season, it is done consulting teams.</p><p>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</p>

<p>In a Facebook post, the league's board deemed "there is no safe way to complete the remaining fixtures."<br /> </p>

In a Facebook post, the league's board deemed "there is no safe way to complete the remaining fixtures."