MANILA, Philippines — With teams back in practice, the PBA looks to plan ahead and borrow a page from the NBA bubble playbook for its own games’ resumption.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa believes that as shown by the NBA, the bubble is the safest way to get the games going by October.
“The bubble is the only way to start this sooner than later,” Vargas said during yesterday’s online version of the PSA Forum.
“Because if we wait for a vaccine or for better (quarantine) classification, it’s going to be very difficult to wait that long as we’re challenged financially,” he said.
Vargas stressed the PBA wants to be of service to the fans, who are eager to see their local idols playing again just like in the NBA.
“We owe it to them especially at this time when they need diversion,” said Vargas.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said they are looking at Batangas, Subic, Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, and the good old Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao as possible bubble sites.
“We’re already talking to the facilities now. I will later present all these options to the board and from there, we’ll determine which is the best option to take,” said Marcial.
The bubble concept is an expensive proposition, and the league’s finances will play a big factor in the decision-making process. Marcial said two five-star hotels have actually offered the PBA packages costing P6,500 per head, per day, inclusive of lodging and meals. A team with 30 members will have to spend nearly P6 million a month in this setup.
“We have to take a look at our own financials if the PBA can shoulder it like what the NBA is doing or will it (cost) be shared by the teams. That’s an important issue we have to discuss in the board,” said Vargas.
The PBA got a big boost in its return plans as nine teams finally started their IATF-approved no-contact physical conditioning sessions in small groups yesterday.
TNT KaTropa will commence their camp in Laguna today while Terra Firma (Kia), Phoenix and NorthPort kick off theirs tomorrow.
“We’re here. My own feeling is we don’t have a choice. We have a model – the NBA – and we should just go ahead and look forward to the time that we can play, whether it’s the NBA way or a more innovative way,” said Vargas.
“But we are ready,” said the PBA chairman.