PBA opens recreation avenues for bubble delegates

The commissioner’s office is working to install a video game hub in the PBA delegation’s official hotel. —JAM STA. ROSA

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner’s office, in looking out for the mental health of all bubble residents for the league’s season reboot, will provide as many avenues for relaxation and recreation as possible.

Players, team and league officials, support staff and other bubble insiders will be subjected to strict guidelines to ensure a smooth return to action for the league’s 45th season, and commissioner Willie Marcial feels it’s only fair to help them “de-stress”

“They’re going to be here for two months, away from their families, and they will be under intense surveillance,” Marcial said on Thursday. “We have to help them manage their stress, anxiety and homesickness.”

Already offering golf, swimming and table tennis, Marcial said he is adding billiards and darts to the mix and is looking to set up a video game hub in the hotel where the PBA delegation will be billeted.

Marcial acknowledged that several PBA players are into esports, the competitive gaming activity that debuted in last year’s Southeast Asian Games.

There are also plans by the host, Clark Development Corp. (CDC), to create bike and jogging paths for the use of the delegation.

The recreational activities are expected to help the delegation deal with the two-month confinement at Clark Freeport during the Philippine Cup restart. The players, especially, will face intense protocols aimed at making sure the bubble stays free from the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down the league and other sports for seven months now.

Marcial reiterated that anyone who leaves the bubble will no longer be allowed to reenter. Players will be tested rigorously, from once a week to every three days as the tournament progresses. Strict sanitation protocols have also been established and CDC is expected to cordon off Mimosa, which will be the main billeting area and where the recreational facilities are. Security will monitor the perimeters round the clock and none of the members of the PBA delegation will be allowed to bring guests in.

“We will also have CCTVs everywhere. So, they’re either in their rooms, in practices or in the games. That’s why we want to provide other acti­vities for them. It will benefit their mental health, which we are really taking into consideration,” Marcial said.

But the recreational hubs will also carry strict health and safety protocols, the commissioner warned.

“We want to make sure that whatever they do, they will still maintain social distancing, they will sanitize and they will monitor themselves carefully. That’s why we will also have very strict guidelines for every recreational activity,” Marcial said.