Bubble time.

The PBA has finally secured a “provisional authority” from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, September 24, to create a bubble in Clark, Pampanga for its season reboot.

“We’re hoping that this will be a successful bubble. We’ve done everything we can,” said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas as the league returns after a seven-month hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Philippine Cup, stalled in March after just one game, will resume on October 11 instead of the initial restart schedule of October 9.

Players will be tested and will have to undergo a strict five-day quarantine.

Once results show the players tested negative, they will be allowed to enter the bubble, where practice scrimmages are now allowed by the IATF.

“The players are committed to show what they can do and compete inside the bubble. We’re praying that nothing bad happens,” Vargas said.

Strict protocols will be followed inside the bubble, including the rule that once a player decides to leave, he will never be allowed to come back.

As things stand, Bases Conversion and Development Authority head Vince Dizon, who is also the Philippines’ testing czar, said the players will be tested once a week inside the bubble.

“If there will be new guidelines using other new tests like the antigen, we can do the testing more frequent,” Dizon said.

Dizon added the staff and security personnel of the Quest Hotel, where all teams will be staying, are also subject to the protocols.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the league has set a deadline of September 25 for the teams to submit the list of their 25-man delegation for the Clark bubble. – Rappler.com