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    NBL seeks IATF clearance for 11-day 'bubble tournament' in Pampanga

    Under the NBL plan, eight teams will be housed at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga for the 11-day tournament
    Jul 30, 2020

    THE National Basketball League (NBL) Pilipinas is planning an 11-day bubble to complete its Season 3 Black Arrow Express-President’s Cup.

    Under a 50-page comprehensive plan, the NBL plans to hold its bubble at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga where the eight playoff teams will be housed under strict health guidelines.

    The bubble will be made possible through the support of governor Dennis Pineda, who also owns the province’s NBL-Pilipinas team Pampanga Delta.

    As part of its stringent health protocols, all the players and essential personnel of the eight teams will undergo COVID-19 tests and will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Only players aged 21 and above will also be allowed to play in the bubble.

    Before the teams enter the bubble, a slow but safe return to training and competition will be strictly enforced and monitored by the league.

    NBL-Pilipinas chairman Celso ‘Soy’ Mercado said the league that is exclusive for homegrown talents is taking a proactive approach in the event that contact sports will be allowed to be played during the pandemic.

    Mercado said Commissioner John Edward Aquino and executive vice-president Rhose Montreal have reached out to Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and other government agencies to present its bubble concept.

    “NBL-Pilipinas is determined to name a champion for our third season, but we will abide by the government’s directives on the conduct of contact sports in the country,” said Mercado.

    Defending champion Taguig Generals are one of eight teams still in contention for the Season 3 title. Other teams eyed for the bubble tournament are the Pampanga Delta, La Union Paower, CamSur Express, inaugural season titlist Paranaque Aces, Nueva Ecija Bespren, Muntinlupa Emeralds, and Pasig El Pirata.

    Founded in 2018, NBL-Pilipinas offers a unique format in which only players aged 18 to 29 from their locality can play for their province, city, or municipality, allowing homegrown talents to be exposed.

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