The PBA will allow teams to hold training bubbles as long as they are held in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said teams must secure the approval from concerned agencies like the Inter-Agency Task Force and the Joint Administrative Order, and also the local government unit where the training bubble is planned to be held.
“Gusto naming makita yung mga protocols ng LGU, protocols niyo, pag-aaralan namin. Pag okay, pwede sila mag-practice (We want to see the protocols of the LGU, the protocol of the team before we approve the training bubble),” Marcial said in the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held Tuesday, April 27.
Marcial, however, said the salary cut will remain in place even if teams get the approval to stage their own training bubble. It would be recalled that the PBA approved a 20-percent salary deduction for teams and league staff.
PBA teams are currently limited to holding virtual workouts after practices were suspended due to last month’s implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine regulations in NCR Plus followed by the current Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine guidelines.
They can resume practice if NCR Plus is placed back to General Community Quarantine, provided teams divide the sessions in groups in order to observe social distancing measures.
TNT previously held a training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna prior to the start of last season’s PBA Philippine Cup.