IATF gives green light to PBA’s proposed Clark bubble

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Philippine hoops, time to rejoice!

After months of deliberation and waiting, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases finally approved the PBA’s request to hold their bubble similar to that of the NBA to resume its season.

“We are ready, the players are ready to go, and it’s all now in the hands of the Commissioner to see this executed to perfection,” said PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas.

The PBA confirmed the development in an online press conference joined by commissioner Willie Marcial, Bases Conversion and Development Authority chief Vince Dizon, Clark Development Corp, President Noel Manankil, and Vargas.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo na nagbigay sila ng provisional approval for us to begin the preparations for the PBA bubble,” said Dizon.

To kick things off, all 12 PBA participating teams have already undergone swab testing and will do the same after arriving in Clark.

Positive things then began to fall into place after the PBA’s request of holding 5-on-5 scrimmages was allowed by the IATF but under strict health protocols.

“There will be a very strict protocol for the bubble. All the activities of the PBA, the scrimmages, the practices, the games, will be held inside the bubble,” Dizon added.

As of now, the PBA and the Clark personnel are just waiting for the final swab results of all the players and employees to jump-start their next plans heading into the bubble.