BCDA chief promises even stricter protocols to ensure FIBA ​​bubble security

MANILA – The head of the Base Development and Conversion Authority (BCDA) is committed to implementing even stricter protocols and regulations to ensure that the FIBA ​​Asia Cup qualifiers run smoothly next year.

Clark has been chosen to host one of the FIBA ​​Asia Cup 2021 qualifying bubbles, following the successful organization of the PBA Philippines Cup from late September to early December.

“We are very, very looking forward to future sporting events, like this very important one in February, which would be the FIBA ​​qualifiers,” BCDA President Vince Dizon said at a news conference on Saturday.

Eight teams from two groups will compete in the qualifying window that runs from February 17-22. South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand join the Philippines in Group A, while the country also agreed to host Australia, New Zealand, Guam and Hong Kong. of Group C.

Al Panlilio, president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), believes that the success of the PBA bubble paved the way for the country to host the FIBA ​​qualification window.

“It was a great success, and because of its success, it really paved the way for us as SBP to really work with FIBA ​​and offer the same Clark bubble for a FIBA ​​competition in February,” he explained.

“We are very proud of the success of the PBA bubble and therefore we can show this success at other international events,” he added.

However, the PBA bubble did not go well. Games were halted in early November after a referee and a player tested positive, although they were later labeled “false positives.” The Interagency Task Force (IATF) stepped in to institute stricter protocols that the league followed until the conference’s conclusion earlier this month.

Dizon says Clark has learned a lot about his organization from the PBA and they are now more prepared to handle another “bubble.”

“We want to assure everyone that we will ensure the safety and health of everyone in the bubble,” Dizon stressed. “That is the first and most important goal we have.”

“Building on the success of the PBA bubble, we will make this next bubble even tighter and safer,” he added.

This includes strictly following the existing protocols of the Inter-Institutional Working Group for those entering the country. Dizon assures that even if players and coaches of foreign teams produce negative COVID tests from their own countries, they will still have to be evaluated upon arrival.

“They need to wait for the results in a designated isolation facility. We cannot make any exceptions there,” he emphasized. “We will follow standard testing and isolation protocols for all passengers arriving from abroad.”

They will also retain the dedicated COVID-19 quarantine facility that was installed for the PBA bubble. Those who tested positive were initially taken to Athletes’ Village in New Clark City, before designating a separate quarantine facility closer to Clark.

The teams will still stay at the Quest Hotel, which hosted the PBA delegation for over a month, and the games will be played at the AUF Gym in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“We did it for the first time in October and we learned a lot,” Dizon said.

“We have learned from all the problems and we are ready to successfully host another bubble,” he added.