For rookies, a hushed welcome to the pros

Every rookie dreams of playing in front of the bright lights and screaming fans in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

This season’s batch will get to see the bright lights, at least.

“Too bad there won’t be fans,” said Terra Firma rookie Roosevelt Adams, the top pick of last year’s regular draft. Because of an ongoing health crisis, the PBA will resume its season inside a bubble, one that bars crowds from watching the games live.

“Obviously, it’s gonna be different,” said Rain or Shine freshman Adrian Wong, a product of Ateneo in the UAAP, where crowds usually pack coliseums.

Both newcomers, in Saturday’s episode of “Power & Play,” wished they could have the opportunity to have their first entry into a PBA game greeted by applause from the fans.

But at least, they get to play.

A season that was threatened to be washed out by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic finally resumes with a compressed Philippine Cup that starts on Oct. 11 at Clark Freeport.

For Adams, the lack of fans won’t be much of a difference, having played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).

“[I] grew up playing AAU ball,” he said. “[Stands] were not packed or anything—maybe family and some friends in there. I’m used to the atmosphere at the low-level.”