Sports NEWS

Members of the PBA Board of Governors are expected to decide Friday what type of bubble the league will adopt should the season resume next month.

Games and Amusements Board chairman Baham Mitra personally visited a workout session of a PBA team Thursday and was satisfied with what he saw, making him more confident the PBA can return to play soon.

The PBA Board of Governors will meet on Friday to discuss what bubble setup the league will adopt if the season can resume in the second week of October.

PBA superstar James Yap of Rain or Shine has been allowed to return home to his residence in Alabang after he got a negative result on a swab test for COVID-19 upon arrival from Italy last Thursday.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial is taking the next big step to restarting the stalled Philippine Cup two weeks after the pro league got the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force to resume limited team practice under strict health and safety protocols.

As the PBA discusses plans on where and how to have a ‘bubble’ for the possible resumption of the Philippine Cup, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said that their should be a discussion with coaches and players at least on the set up.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said it would be a big help for the league if amenities can be added in the proposed bubble setup for the possible resumption of the season next month.

PBA superstar James Yap of Rain or Shine isn’t discounting the possibility of returning to Italy to be with his family right after his obligation in the PBA with the Elasto Painters.

Two weeks after PBA players, coaches and medical personnel underwent required swab testing prior to their return to practice, a second round of protocol, this time rapid testing, was performed on the same group the past two days.

NLEX coach Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine counterpart Caloy Garcia are supporting the idea of a compact schedule if the PBA can resume its season under a bubble concept.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial believes the league will go with a compact schedule instead of a shorter format if the season can resume in the middle of next month.

“Of course sobrang ma-miss ko sila,” James Yap told Manila Bulletin early Wednesday from Milano Marittima, Italy. “Three months na talagang bonding… spend time kami together sa bahay or sa labas.”

The PBA will not impose sanctions on Phoenix Super LPG coach Louie Alas who was handed a 15-day suspension by his team for violating health protocols being observed during practice.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra encouraged the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to consider doing a ‘bubble’ here when it resumes with its tournament instead of holding it abroad.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial bared that a shortened version of the halted Philippine Cup could now be a possibility if the league is able to resume as late as mid-October.

Robert Bolick joined NorthPort’s resumption of practice on Thursday at Green Meadows gym, 10 months after his rookie season was cut short by an ACL tear on his right knee.

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.

Should the PBA resume with the Philippine Cup later this year, Alaska Aces veteran center Sonny Thoss is not likely to join his team, a source said Thursday.