PBA bubble: Clark’s safety protocols draw praises from players

Players of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) shared positive feedback on the safety protocols upon arrival at Quest Hotel in Clark, Pampanga for the league’s bubble.

“Everything was handled smoothly naman. Nakakatuwa kasi we had our first experience talaga on how this bubble would look like. And perhaps with the management of Mimosa, of Quest Hotel, and of course, the PBA, maayos naman. Lahat nasunod. Lahat ng mga sinabi nila sa media were strictly followed: from sa pagbaba namin sa bus, sa gamit namin. Things are looking bright as the restart is about to begin so nakakatuwa naman,” NLEX Road Warriors’ Kiefer Ravena said in an interview with the online show “2OT.”

The 12 teams of PBA arrived in Clark by batches on September 28 and 29. The players and team staff were assessed by health workers at the clinical triage area, while their bags were disinfected. They were then required to scan the hotel’s QR code using the StaySafe.ph contact tracing application, before they were allowed entry to the hot el .

The bubble participants were subjected to RT-PCR tests, and were advised to stay in their respective rooms while they waited for the test results to ensure safety of all the teams.

“The rules and the protocols are set to be followed for a reason. You want to make sure that everybody, even their staff maintains proper hygiene, social distancing with face shield, face mask. Ito ‘yung bagay na ayaw mong maging careless kasi isang mali, baka matigil lahat. Mabuting nang safe para tuloytuloy ang balik ng liga,” Ravena added.

Magnolia Hotshots guard Paul Lee also had a positive feedback on the protocols despite the tedious process.

“Nakakatuwa kasi mini-make sure ng PBA na safe lahat ng papasok sa hotel. ‘Yun talaga kung gusto natin talagang matuloy itong conference na ito. Okay lang sakin kahit gaano katagal basta sumunod lang talaga tayo sa mga protocol,” Lee said in a separate interview with 2OT.

In a candid documentation of his first night at Quest Hotel, Lee mentioned how friendly and nice the hotel staff were, and commended the quality of food served to them. “Quest Hotel, sobrang good job kayo,” Lee said in his video blog. Packed meals for the players are placed on tables outside each room to lessen contact.