Caravan to Clark gets going for PBA teams
Five teams will be the first ones to experience life inside the bubble as the PBA contingent begins to set up camp in Clark, Pampanga today.
Magnolia, TNT, Meralco, Phoenix Super LPG and Terra Firma are scheduled to check in at Quest Hotel, the site where all PBA teams, officials and staff will stay during the duration of the bubble.
Set to join those teams on tomorrow are San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, NLEX, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Blackwater and NorthPort.
Teams will be picked up through buses provided by Genesis Transport Service through select pick-up points.
Upon arrival, teams will undergo swab tests before undergoing 24-hour quarantine inside their hotel rooms. Teams can begin holding 5-on-5 scrimmages at the Angeles University Foundation campus if COVID-19 tests come back negative.
“I’m sure it’s something to look forward to,” said Phoenix interim coach Topex Robinson. “Our goal coming into the bubble is that we will grow together as a team. The challenges that will set forth that I’m sure will be a great learning tool.”
Teams will be given a maximum two weeks to hold scrimmages before the season resumes with the Philippine Cup on Oct. 11 at AUF gym.
Meralco coach Norman Black admits that the limited time of scrimmages is something of a concern, yet understands that other teams will be dealing with the same situation.
“We are excited about getting back on the court again, but we recognize the challenges ahead,” said Black.
“My main concern will be trying to get my guys in 5-on-5 conditioning with a very limited amount of practice time. Everyone is facing the same set of obstacles so we will just dedicate ourselves to getting ready for the tournament,” he added.