OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: PBA PH Cup bubble, a success, says Marcial
By Eddie Alinea of The Manila Times
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Dec 2020
Willie Marcial.
That the PBA Philippine Cup bubble was a success is an understatement.
Not only that the first of its kind in the country and Asia, for that matter, was a success, it proved a signal for Philippine sports to move forward besides providing means on how to lessen the spread of COVID-19 through regular testing, social distancing, mask-wearing and contact tracing through the entire bubble
“We had a perfect zero negative tests in in our entire stay at Clark for two and-a-half months,“ PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial asserted in an interview with THE MANILA TIMES a few days after host Clark Development Corp. lowered the curtains on the bubble.
“Some of our PBA staffers had small calendar each in their pockets recording results of every tests. Pati ilang player. And I’m happy to report, no positive cases. If that’s not a success, I don’t know what is,” Marcial proudly exclaimed.
“Walang nag-positive among the more or less 500 members of the entourage, including team members, game officials and members of print and television media,”
“Salamat sa Clark Development Corpo. (CDC), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and their all personnel for their efforts and support throughout the duration of the PBA Philippine Cup bubble,” he said.
Marcial, likewise, expressed his gratitude to Quest Hotel, which served as home to all those involved in the bubble, and the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga, venue of all the games held.
Marcial noted the suitability of the CDC facilities to be an ideal site for conducting future bubble events.
“Even FIBA has also noticed the ideal Clark facilities, as well as that of AUF which they now plan to use during our hosting of the Third Window of the on-going Asia Cup qualifying tournaments,” he disclosed.
“Clark is perfect choice for future international sporting events the country is committed to host,” he assured.
The Barangay Ginebra Kings Gin Kings took advantage undermanned TNT Tropang Giga side to claim their first PBA All-Filipino crown in 13 years.
And now that’s the league has survived the bubble with a new champion, the next step, according to its Commissioner, is to prepare for the celebration of its 46th Season in April next year.
“All our efforts now will be directed at hopefully returning to where we started 45 years ago in April and hold, not only one, but the usual three-Conference format,” Marcial told this writer.
The PBA top man, it can be recalled, was, at first, worried about the idea of a Philippine Cup bubble, but never resisted when the idea was brought to the table.
“Not quiet a few were skeptical to the idea because, first and foremost, noong una, hindi masyadong malinaw kung paano namin ma-meet ang tungkol sa gastos,” Marcial reminisced during the interview.
“Iilan nga ang naniniwalang we could we could do it successfully, just like our NBA counrterpart in the U.S., “Marcial recalled. .
“Later on, though, after the needed budget was prepared, we, the Office of the Commissioner, members of the Board of Governors and including players, coaches when consulted, agreed that the league, in particular and Philippine sports in general, should start moving,” the league commissioner explained.
The PBA spent close to P65 million for the Clark bubble
The bulk of the cost was in accommodation and food of the participants, although the league was able to cut down the cost by getting discounts. The PBA was also able to get free testing kits required for the players.
All the problems were addressed properly as he bubble progressed – especially those concerned with the players' health and safety.
"Una, safety muna ang aming siniguro. Do they have, for instance enough space for us to assure safety, number 2 the medical facility is also important... number 3 was the cost, it is important for us as well. The facilities not only in the playing court but also their well being.
No, the PBA didn’t build a fortress. It ensured that people won’t be wandering in and out of the hotel. Participants were separated from the general public, they were provided with opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, physical distancing with relative ease.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea of The Manila Times.
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