PBA: At least 17 hotels in Clark, Subic, El Nido, Baguio, Dubai interested in hosting ‘bubble’

The PBA Board will meet to discuss the bubble proposal

The PBA Board of Governors will meet Friday to discuss what bubble configuration the league will adopt if the season can resume in the second week of October.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said league officials will decide whether to opt for an NBA-like bubble or the one adopted by the German Bundesliga, while also tackling offers from numerous hotels and resorts willing to host the games. .

“There are about 16 or 17 hotels that have given us a proposal that they want the sport to continue and so that we can also help tourism,” said Marcial during his appearance at the Monday press conference of the Higher Education Commission.

Clark, Subic, El Nido, Baguio and even Dubai were named among those who expressed interest in hosting the PBA bubble.

READ: GAB Chairman Baham Mitra expects a ‘bubble’ here at PH, not abroad

Under an NBA-style bubble, league teams and staff will be housed in one place, while the Bundesliga setup had a similar bubble with teams staying in hotels and playing on their own fields without the presence of fanatics.

The NBA bubble model has been recommended by public health expert Tony Leachon, but Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas CEO and former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said the concept could be an “expensive proposition.”

READ: Amenities for the proposed bubble configuration would be helpful, says President Ricky Vargas

The league is currently in the first phase of its quest to save the season by holding separate practices in group sessions.

The PBA has sent a letter to the Interagency Task Force seeking approval of the team games in preparation for the possible resumption of the season.

If the season can be held next month, the PBA plans to keep a compact schedule in hopes of completing the stopped Philippine Cup in December.

Several PBA coaches led by NLEX’s Yeng Guiao are supporting the two-month duration, as a longer tournament could present mental health risks for all participants.

READ: Should family visits be allowed in the proposed ‘bubble’? Coaches weigh