The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is trying its darn best to make sure that the historic “bubble” format for its lone conference this year will start and end without a hitch.
By “hitch” means that none among the expected over 300 delegates of players, their companions, coaches, utilities, PBA staff, including hotel personnel and drivers of buses that will transport the PBA delegates from the Quest Hotel where they are staying to the playing venue, the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) gym, will contract the dreaded COVID-19 virus.
The PBA assured that their health and safety protocols will be strict, or even stricter, than what is being implemented in the National Basketball Association (NBA) currently underway at the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, USA under the same “bubble” concept.
Strict means even players on the bench are required to wear face masks, something not done in the NBA. Companions of players like family members are not allowed to enter the bubble at any time during the season.
No high fives or any form of contact among players to celebrate a win or a point during game play will be discouraged.
As early as yesterday, PBA teams have started arriving at the Quest Hotel, with the last batch seen to arrive by today. For those who will enter the bubble, hotel to playing venue and back will be their routine activity for the next two months.
The Philippine Cup, the PBA’s lone conference this season, will start on October 11. A total of two games will be played every playing day
It was earlier ruled by the PBA that no one will be allowed to leave once inside the bubble, except due to emergencies such as those involving family. But once they leave, they will not be allowed to return.
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