The PBA players, including the coaches and league staff, embark in a rare journey toward a place of uncertainty.
On Monday, most of these individuals will discover what it’s like to be inside the bubble.
It will be more than two months of sacrifice for those who will brave the bubble concept in Clark, Pampanga.
Five teams--Magnolia, TNT, Meralco, Phoenix Super LPG and Terra Firma—have checked in at Quest Hotel, the temporary home of the PBA family in the entire duration of the season.
Several players took their nostalgia to social media, posting photos of their family and loved ones.
"Definitely gonna miss my babies," Magnolia guard Paul Lee wrote on Instagram.
Lee is known for being vocal on social media as a family man to wife Rubie and one-year-old daughter Tokyo, who will turn two on Oct 8.
On their latest vlogs, Lee revealed his recent Nike shoe haul and the equipment he will be bringing inside the bubble.
Magnolia's Jio Jalalon, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang and coach Chito Victolero, to name a few, also posted their messages on social media.
"acrifice muna ako ahh. ara sa inyo to," wrote Jalalon, dedicating it to his wife Kristina, daughter Skyla and son JJ.
Meanwhile, Ian and wife Eunice celebrated the third birthday of their son Isaiah a day before the Magnolia forward left for the bubble.
"This is the longest time we won’t be together," said Eunice, with a sad emoji. "We will miss you daddy! Take care. We love you."
CJ Perez of Terra Firma, RR Garcia of Phoenix and TNT's Poy Erram were also among the players who bid farewell to their families.
Set to arrive in Clark on Tuesday are San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, NLEX, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Blackwater and NorthPort.
The next time these players would meet their families is in the second week of December, the target finale of the one-conference 45th season.
Until then, hopes are high for the safety and success of the PBA family.