PBA: ‘Everybody’s back’ after Meralco’s COVID-19 struggles over the break

FILE–Meralco Bolts during the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Just like any other sports team, Meralco had to adjust to the effects of the recent surge of COVID-19 at the turn of the year as the team was forced to settle for limited practices while the league took a break due to the pandemic.

The Bolts, however, felt the effects closer as most of their players contracted the virus.

“As far as the pandemic is concerned. I think we struggled just like everybody else. The Omicron variant hit our team just like it hit everybody else’s team,” said Black. 

“We had a lot of players out and we didn’t start practice until they [medical officials] said we could start back our practice.”

As his players recovered, the team had to settle for limited runs with four players at a time and it wasn’t until recently that they were able to hold a complete training session with its full lineup.

Despite the limited practices, the Bolts were able to squeeze in a scrimmage with Blackwater and they continued to hold 5-on-5 runs ahead of their return on Friday against NLEX, where new recruit Chris Banchero will debut.

Fortunately for the team, the players who tested positive exhibited just mild symptoms and all were quick to recover.

“Everybody’s okay, everybody’s fine, everybody’s back.”

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