PBA discourages player interactions within the bubble

There are no penalties for violators, but protocols will be imposed.

High fives, fist bumping and cuddling during games could be a rarity during the course of the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga.

This is because the league is discouraging players from engaging in physical interactions as part of strict health protocols that will be observed once games begin on October 11.

“Pinagbabawal natin yung plus physical contact in addition to play,” said Vince Dizon, deputy director of implementation of the National COVID Action Plan and the head of the Base Conversion and Development Authority, at Tuesday’s press conference at the Quest Hotel. .

Dizon later clarified that these gestures are not strictly prohibited, although he added that having such protocols in place is something he hopes players will eventually be able to practice.

“It is very difficult in the heat of the moment, in the emotion of the moment, mahirap talaga. But at least the players know the natin na is down, “said Dizon. “It’s like us in the new normal, in this pandemic, it’s like always thinking about not shaking hands and hitting the elbow.

“At first it was a bit difficult, you know, it was muscle memory, right? The man is your hand. But I think that is our purpose that is discouraged, but we hope that our players also get used to it, ”added Dizon.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial also said there is no reason for him to impose sanctions on teams that will not observe such acts.

“At first, we’ll tell them to avoid it first, but you know when the buzzer-beater is of course exciting. But we are going to insist that they do not do it so there are no sanctions but they are in the protocols so we will follow them, ”said Marcial.

The league also requires players to wear masks while sitting on the bench, while they are also prohibited from cleaning the ball with their jerseys.

All teams are accounted for at the Quest Hotel, and they only need a negative COVID-19 test before they can begin playing 5v5 games at the University of Angeles Foundation.