The games in the PBA restart is set on Sunday. But for a few, they already had fun playing Monday.
Not on the basketball hardwood, but on the golf course.
Blackwater coach Nash Racela was with NLEX guard Kiefer Ravena during a morning flight at the Mimosa Golf Course inside the "bubble" in Clark Free Port Zone in Pampanga.
“Solo namin ang course,” said Racela in a message to Manila Bulletin.
“Most likely maintenance day ng Mimosa kaya closed ang course. I think na-accommodate lang din tayo,” added Racela, who – like Ravena – has been playing golf for several years now.
A golf enthusiast for several years now, the 6-foot Ravena focused on improving his game back in 2018 while he was away from basketball because of a FIBA-related suspension.
Few active players are also playing golf as a hobby, which include two-time PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap of Rain or Shine, and Elite players Matt Salem and Diego Dario.
Ex-PBA player and current NLEX coaching staff member Jojo Lastimosa, as well as San Miguel assistant coach George Gallent played a round or two at the posh golf course.
Not missing the fun were Ginebra coach Tim Cone, Magnolia assistant coach Jasob Webb, and players Sean Anthony of NorthPort, and Kelly Nabong and Christian Standhardinger of SMB.
Aside from the golf course, other amenities inside the "bubble" that players and coaches can use include the billiards tables and swimming pools, which NLEX used as part of recovery after its practice session.
These amenities have been made available to the PBA and members of the 12 squads for them to have other things to do since they are expected to spend two months inside the "bubble."
The league will resume with the Philippine Cup this week after seven months of break because of the coronavirus outbreak. It was March 8 when the PBA opened its 45th Season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.