Mad dash to playoffs

MANILA, Philippines — With 12 games postponed to re-establish safety protocols in the Clark bubble, the PBA is geared to adjust the remaining nine days of the elimination schedule up to Nov. 11 and retain the start of the playoffs on Nov. 12.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday the 30 games left in the eliminations will be compressed to fit nine days with five quadrupleheaders, two tripleheaders and two doubleheaders. “It was even suggested to do quintupleheaders like in FIBA competitions so as to avoid back-to-back playing days for some teams but in the end, we came up with a schedule that is fair to all,” he said. “Ang objective ay matapos ng mga a week before Christmas. So far, on track naman. Naka three rounds of testing na kami at lahat negative – hindi lang players kundi hotel staff at mga empleyado ng Angeles University Foundation gym.”

Games were suspended from last Friday to yesterday to lay out the latest protocols from IATF, including the completion of 14-day quarantine and testing before re-entering the bubble for those who test positive moving forward, appointment of an independent marshall to oversee and ensure compliance with health and safety protocols as recommended by the DILG and the assignment of a separate temporary quarantine facility within the Clark Freeport Zone by the Clark Development Corp.

Deputy chief implementer of the government’s response against COVID-19 secretary Vince Dizon took up the protocols with Marcial in a zoom meeting last Saturday. “We’ve decided to have a separate quarantine facility for the bubble in Clark,” said Dizon. “The latest protocols are straight forward and simple. All players in the bubble have registered negative results.” The temporary facility may be a hotel or a suite in a hospital in Clark.

PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro said referee reinforcement Joseph (Bing) Oliva will begin work in the quadrupleheader today. Another referee Jerry Narandan checked in yesterday and his test results are pending. The referee who was false positive then tested negative in confirmatory antigen and swab tests has completed his quarantine protocol. He will rejoin the referees pool after another negative retest. The quarterfinals are set on Nov. 12-16 and the semifinals on Nov. 18-27. The finals will be on Nov. 29-Dec. 13. Castro said Nov. 12 will be reserved in case of a playoff for No. 8 then Nov. 13 and 14 will feature quarterfinal doubleheaders. If necessary, Nov. 15 and 16 will be for rematch clinchers.

PBA medical consultant Dr. Jose Raul (George) Canlas said packing 30 games in nine days will give players less time to recover. “That may be a factor in sustaining injuries,” he said. “Rest and recovery, like hydration and nutrition, have been proved to prevent chances of getting injured. Also, athletic skills are affected. That’s why coaches, PTs and strength/conditioning coaches will have to balance out playing times of players.”