PBA chief to discuss planned bubble restart with players

FILE PHOTO – Alaska during the resumption of practices. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — The PBA is set to receive input from its players regarding the league’s planned restart amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As per the league’s official’s website, commissioner Willie Marcial will meet with 24 players on Wednesday before he goes into another meeting with the PBA Board the day after to decide where the planned bubble environment will be held.

Marcial said that the players’ suggestions are of utmost importance as they’re the ones who will be front and center once the season resumes after nearly six months of being dormant.

“There input is valuable to us especially they’re the ones going to play and entertain the PBA fans,” said Marcial in Filipino.

Expected in the meeting are Chris Ross (San Miguel), LA Tenorio (Barangay Ginebra), Jayson Castro (TNT), Marc Pingris (Magnolia), Asi Taulava (NLEX), Sean Anthony (NorthPort), Reynel Hugnatan (Meralco), Mac Belo (Blackwater), Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine), Vic Manuel (Alaska), Matthew Wright (Phoenix), and CJ Perez (Terra Firma).

Things that’ll be discussed include the bubble model, tournament format, and venue.

The Board held its initial meeting on Friday where it decided to trim down the aspiring bubble hosts to three while signifying that 20 hotels have shown their interest to host the league while three of those facilities made formal presentations.

Marcial, however, said that the first meeting didn’t go smoothly as a power interruption lasting one hour halted the proceedings.