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COACHES and players could only go into standby mode, but be ready for battle at any time after the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) halted action at the Philippine Cup starting Friday in the bubble of Clark.
“We are sad that we already gained momentum, and our old deadly form heading into Friday’s game against Geneva, and there are many fans who are very excited to see our game,” San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria told BusinessMirror.
The Beermen are on a three-game streak with a 4-2 win-loss record.
“We all know that this is for everyone’s safety and that the resumption of matches is daily,” Austria added.
Rain or Shine coach Carlos “Caloy” Garcia, whose team is 4-1, admitted they already prepared for Saturday’s game against Phoenix Super LPG. Despite the minor setback, Garcia said they still trust the protocols within the bubble.
“Of course, we trust the protocols of the bubble. There are only a few things that need to be resolved and the Commissioner [Willie Marcial] it’s just doing the right things, ”Garcia said.
The PBA announced the suspension of games on its social media accounts on Friday.
The suspension, the PBA said, complies with a recommendation from the Interagency Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) until the protocols in the bubble are reviewed.
A Blackwater player and a referee are currently completing 10 days of isolation at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, after initially testing positive and ultimately negative for Covid-19. Insulation is an essential component of the patterns within the bubble.
“In compliance with the recommendation of the IATF-EID Technical Working Group and the DOH [Department of Health] Expert Advisory Group and to ensure the integrity and safety of the PBA Bubble, the league will postpone the games starting today, October 30, until the new protocols proposed by the IATF and DOH are in effect, ”said the statement from the PBA.
NorthPort and Magnolia were scheduled to play at 4 pm, while San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra would meet at 6:45 pm on Friday.
Terrafirma coach John Cardel said they would use their free time “to strategize for a big change or a miracle” to book a six-game winning streak that would make up for their five consecutive setbacks in the conference.
“We just want to win our next game and then we’ll see,” Cardel said.
TNT Tropang Giga coach Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, on the other hand, said the postponements favored his players who are suffering minor injuries.
Base Development and Conversion Authority (BCDA) President Vince Dizon, meanwhile, told BusinessMirror that one of DOH’s new protocols is the competition of a 10-day isolation for suspected cases from the onset of symptoms. or from the date of sampling.
Dizon said the IATF-EID and DOH had a lengthy meeting Thursday night to discuss revisions to the bubble protocols even though the referee and the Blackwater player have already tested negative twice.
Another protocol, Dizon said, is the possible appointment of an independent medical marshal who will monitor and ensure adherence to health and safety guidelines.
But Dizon said it expects games to resume early next week.
“I guess early next week because the protocols are not difficult,” he said.
