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ABL: Alab owner fears play stoppage could spill into next season, beyond

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

The way Charlie Dy sees it, the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) may not be returning in 2 years if the COVID-19 pandemic remains unchecked.The San Miguel Alab Pilipinas team owner said the virus has made it impossible for the league to hold games because of its home-and-away format.&quot;ABL is not a local league and the decision to end the 2019-2020 season is due to the fact that travel will be a big challenge with the travel restrictions and quarantine period, and the home-and-away format is not feasible,&quot; said Dy.&quot;I don’t think we can also have a 2020-2021 season until the pandemic is controlled.&quot;Alab were among 4 teams, including Hong Kong Eastern, Formosa Dreamers of Taiwan and the Macau Black Bears, that asked the league to stop play in March when COVID-19 was becoming a global health crisis.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/15/20/abl-ends-2019-20-season-citing-virus-concerns-2021-campaign-still-in-play">ABL ends 2019-20 season, citing virus concerns; 2021 campaign still in play</a></li></ul>Dy acknowledged it was a tough decision to make as Alab, which sat at second place with a 10-6 record when play was stopped, was making big strides in reclaiming the ABL title.&quot;Like what coach Jimmy (Alapag) said, we all felt bad because despite us not playing so well the first half of the season, we’re still at no. 2 and really feel we could win the title this season with the addition of Justin Brownlee and John Fields,&quot; Dy said. &quot;But safety of everyone is our main concern, that’s why we just have to be happy and look at the positive that everyone’s healthy.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/11/20/malungkot-tayo-duremdes-pacquiao-to-discuss-mpbl-moving-to-another-network">‘Malungkot tayo’: Duremdes, Pacquiao to discuss MPBL moving to another network</a></li></ul>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

If the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't show signs of slowing down, the ABL could remain sidelined until the 2020-21 season, Alab Pilipinas owner Charlie Dy says.

If the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't show signs of slowing down, the ABL could remain sidelined until the 2020-21 season, Alab Pilipinas owner Charlie Dy says.

ABL: Alab owner fears play stoppage could spill into next season, beyond

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ABL: Alab owner fears play stoppage could spill into next season, beyond

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 21, 2020 10:24 PM PHT

|

Updated July 22, 2020 12:25 AM PHT

Read More:

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas

ASEAN Basketball League

ABL

COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic

lockdown

quarantine

home-and-away

Charlie Dy

coronavirus

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