PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Willie Marcial stressed his optimism on the league’s Clark bubble starting on September 26 despite the absence of an official approval on the league’s return to competition by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The IATF, chaired by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, has yet to allow indoor sports, more so competition and collective training, which a modified general community quarantine is imposed.
But Marcial said the league is taking the risk and expressed confidence on a positive reply from the IATF.
“The PBA governors have decided on the resumption of the 45th season,” Marcial told reporters via zoom after the PBA board meeting late Thursday evening. “We were also advised that to get the IATF approval, we have to move out of Metro Manila and that’s why we chose Clark.”
Marcial didn’t reveal the identities of the individuals who tipped them on how to convince the IATF, but stressed Clark is a perfect venue for the bubble.
PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas was also confident of an IATF approval, saying the season’s resumption “is good for the PBA, the people and the economy.”
“It opens up your television, set to a content that is going to be very important to us who loves basketball,” said Vargas, noting he junks negative thoughts. “But if it happens, I’m sure we’ll be able to survive that. Here we are, we’re going to push through with your [media] help.”
In the PBA’s Clark bubble—patterned after the National Basketball Association model in Florida—everyone involved in the league will be restricted to the fenced facility.
“Once inside the bubble, you can no longer go out,” Marcial said. “And one you go out, you can never come back.”
A hefty fine of P100,000 on top of a five-game suspension will be imposed on violators.
The PBA bubble will last for two months.