The players’ boycott that may see the NBA bubble in Orlando burst won’t have an effect as far as the possible plan of the PBA to replicate that setup.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that there are in fact additional interests from cities that are willing to host the team if the pro league decides to implement a bubble setup once the season resumes.
Marcial said Baguio, El Nido and even Dubai have sent out feelers shortly after the league explored the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, Clark and Subic as potential sites.
Members of the PBA Board of Governors are set to meet in early-September to discuss the likelihood of the bubble, which could assure the safety of the teams and players against COVID-19 but also present financial challenges.
“Pag-uusapan pa rin kasi wala pa akong nilalatag sa mga Governors,” Marcial told the Manila Bulletin as he kept an open mind regarding the bubble plan despite issues being dealt by the NBA.
The NBA season could be in jeopardy after three games were postponed following the players’ decision to boycott in protest over the shooting of a black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Jacob Blake became paralyzed from the waist down after being shot seven times by a Wisconsin police officer, prompting widespread condemnation from the NBA community.
Milwaukee’s decision prompted boycotts in the two other scheduled NBA playoff games (Houston against Oklahoma City and Los Angeles Lakers opposite Portland) in several matches in the WNBA, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer.