MANILA, Philippines -- For sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, there is "no easy solution" to the problem faced by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), which has been in limbo since March due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking on One News Philippines' "The Chiefs" recently, Pangilinan said he has been in communication with PBA chairman Ricky Vargas regarding how the PBA will proceed with its 45th season.

The PBA officially opened last March 8, with San Miguel and Magnolia facing off in the first game of the All-Filipino Cup. It turned out to be their lone game of the season so far, as the league announced that all of its activities will be suspended just three days later.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong final decision nila," Pangilinan said of the PBA Board of Governors. "Sinabi ko kay chairman Ricky Vargas, why don't you try these games, para may mapanood tayo?"

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But Pangilinan was quick to add that he "(doesn't) know whether it will work."

"I know it's a little weird, at 'yung logistics, sabi ni Ricky, medyo mahirap because the players will have to be tested, etc. etc. No easy solution to it," he concluded.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has previously said that the Board will make a decision in August whether to cancel the season outright or hold a one-conference campaign. He has also thumbed down the possibility of holding games behind closed doors, as it will still go against the government's protocols.

Sports events are among the mass gatherings banned by the Inter-Agency Task Force in the guidelines that it released.

Pangilinan, the chairman emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and owner of three PBA teams, also acknowledged that sports are not on his radar at the moment, given the COVID-19 pandemic that the country is dealing with.

"Nami-miss ko, definitely," he said, adding that his current focus is on how they can help fight the outbreak as well as his various business interests.

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).