OFFICIALS of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 league assured strict health protocols would be enforced once training—and eventually the tournament—gets the green light to proceed.
Commissioner Eric Altamirano said the league is taking all necessary precautions to guarantee the safety and welfare of players, officials and staff from the Covid-19.
All involved personnel would be required to undergo swab testing (PCR) especially those who are going to enter the 3×3 bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, once competitions in the newly christened professional league gets going hopefully by September.
Training by the 12 participating teams—composed of six players each—were supposed to start early this month, but pushed back when the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces, including Laguna, reverted to a modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ).
“Right after MECQ is lifted, we will resume our testing and training,” said Altamirano, who graced the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) webcast Forum on Tuesday along with Alvin Pasaol, one of the country’s top 3×3 players.
“We’re ensuring that we will cover everything from testing to contact tracing,” added the former Philippine Basketball Association player and coach, who said the league has been in close consultation with Dr. Tony Leachon, a former special adviser to the National Task Force Against Covid-19, and other health experts.
Altamirano said the league is looking for a centralized training facility where all teams would be working out. He stressed that confining the teams in one facility would make it easier for the league to monitor the movements of everyone involved in the league.
“If we stay in only one facility, we can ensure the safety of the facility in terms of cleaning and disinfecting,” the Chooks-to-Go official told the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and powered by Smart with Upstream Media as webcast partner.
Of course, players won’t be allowed to practice not unless he undergoes Covid-19 testing.
Altamirano said moving back the tournament helped prepare the country’s men’s 3×3 team that will be seeing action in the qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics.
Pasaol and Joshua Munzon make up half of the team, with PBA players Mo Tautuaa and last season’s Rookie of the Year CJ Perez completing the other.