The PBA Bubble in Clark, Pampanga has generated its own fair share of craziness, but thankfully, it’s now back on track. The 2020 Philippine Cup will return to action on Tuesday, November 3rd, just three days removed from announcing a break due to the area’s increase in COVID-19 cases.

While fans were concerned that the hiatus had no timetable yet again, especially since the PBA was absent for almost nine months prior to the bubble, the league brass worked quite fast with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in crafting new protocols.

Here’s a refresher: an unnamed Blackwater Elite player tested positive earlier this week, and a week or so prior to that, there was a referee and a couple of players who had inconclusive tests.

Let’s have a quick rundown on the IATF’s recommendations, but you can check out the full update here:

  • Completion of 10-day isolation of Blackwater player from the date of swabbing before resuming the games;
  • Completion of 14-day quarantine and testing before entering the bubble for all those who will test positive moving forward; and
  • The appointment of an independent marshall who shall oversee and ensure compliance with health and safety protocols, as recommended by the DILG.

According to veteran PBA analyst and insider, Quinito Henson, there will be an added security and sanitizing guidelines for deliveries as well.

Though it’s easy to poke holes at the league’s messy handling, we have to remember that they’re basically tasked to gather and closely monitor hundreds and hundreds of individuals across the 12 teams, all while trying to dodge a deadly, easily-transmittable virus.

For now, the managing could be trending in the right direction. The teams and league officials are sure to be more cautious about its every move. Let’s hope it’ll stay that way and everything works out smoothly.

How will the short break affect the teams?

This is also an interesting aspect. It’s intriguing to wait and see if it can help re-energize the downtrending teams and/or halt the momentum of others who are surging.

Two sister teams are actually at the top of those questions, as the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings have dropped back-to-back after going 4-0, while the San Miguel Beermen have won three-straight following a 1-2 start.

The upcoming PBA double-header on Tuesday, November 3rd, will feature the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters taking on the Blackwater Elite at 4 PM and the Talk N’ Text Tropang Giga going up against the San Miguel Beermen at 6:45 PM.