Ilocos Norte governor Matthew Manotoc said the offer to host a bubble remains on the table for the PBA if it decides to once again explore the setup.
“Yeah, (it) still stands,” Manotoc said in the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held Tuesday, June 8.
Manotoc had previous talks with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial regarding a bubble-type tournament, especially since the province is under Modified General Community Quarantine.
But the league has since ruled out another bubble, citing financial and mental health aspects.
The lukewarm response, however, does not mean that Ilocos Norte has closed its doors on having a bubble in its capital of Laoag.
In fact, it has allowed the return of TNT and Meralco for another training bubble due to restrictions that prohibit full scrimmages and practices in Metro Manila.
Manotoc did admit there are limitations in the event a PBA bubble pushes through in Ilocos Norte.
“I’m not sure if we can host all the teams, to be honest, in terms of the facilities and the court,” he said. “I don’t know if the PBA is considering yung parang conference or division setup, pero siguro pag ganun kaya pa namin.”
Nonetheless, Manotoc said the province is open to whatever help the PBA needs.
“We’ll always be here. Whatever we have to offer so long as we can help, we’ll be here naman.”