Veteran guard Cyrus Baguio opted out of the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga while two more players will not see action for the NLEX Road Warriors in the season reboot.

The three-time PBA champion said he has to take care of a business endeavor, something he cannot fully focus on if he enters the bubble and stay there for two months at most.

“If there is no pandemic and bubble, I can play and attend to the business I’m pursuing at the same time,” Baguio told Rappler in Filipino through a text message on Thursday, September 24.

“The team is okay with it, they understand my decision.”

Baguio joins NLEX teammate Larry Fonacier as the players who have decided not to play in the bubble.

The Philippine Cup was supposed to be the swan song for Baguio but his retirement has been put on hold.

“Coach [Yeng Guiao] told me I’m still welcome to the team if I still want to come back. It depends if I can still play. We’ll see,” Baguio said.

Meanwhile, NLEX young guns, sophomore Kyles Lao and rookie AC Soberano, have been left off the Road Warriors’ 15-man bubble lineup, a source close to the team said.

The source said an overload of guards led to management not including Lao and Soberano in the lineup, considering only 25 personnel per team will be allowed in the bubble. – Rappler.com