Heavy sanctions await PBA bubble violators

HEFTY fines and stiff sanctions await players who will be violating PBA protocols inside the New Clark City bubble.

A player guilty of disregarding health and safety guidelines once the season starts by next month will be denied of a onemonth salary by his mother ballclub.

“Kapag lumabas ka ng bubble, one month kang hindi papaswelduhin ng team, fine ka sa PBA ng P100,000. Tapos sa susunod na season, suspended ka ng five playing games,” said commissioner Willie Marcial.

Worse, those who will go out of the bubble would no longer be allowed to come back.

“Kapag pumasok ka, wala ng makakalabas sa bubble.”

League Board Vice Chairman Bobby Rosales of Terra Firma reiterated the strict policy to be implemented within the bubble once the season is ongoing so as to assure the safety and welfare of the players and all personnel involved.

“Violations will be dealt with accordingly by the Office of the

Commissioner and their respective teams,” said Rosales.

“What is important here is that we have looked, studied, and reviewed the bubble protocols that we intend to implement and we really expect strict compliance with the bubble,” he added.

“Strict in the sense that once you are in the bubble, you are

not allowed to get out. Otherwise, you can’t go back.”

The PBA is looking to restart the season with the resumption of the Philippine Cup on Oct. 9, with doubleheader games to be played at the Angeles University Foundation gym on a daily basis.

The playing venue is just 10 minutes away from the Quest Hotel, where the entire league delegation will be locked in.

“All facilities to be used are dedicated to the PBA. In that sense, it is strictly a bubble concept,” added Rosales.