THE Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna appear to be the most logical choices for a bubble that is now being seriously considered by the PBA in order to resume its 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas bared on Tuesday that the bubble that the NBA has successfully pulled off to be able to complete its 2019-2020 regular season and playoffs has inspired the pro league to come up with its own model.
"They are also as excited," Vargas, the governor of TnT KaTropa, said of his fellow board members when he talked about the bubble plan on Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
"In fact, we are talking about several options in terms of following the bubble," Vargas added. "The question is, meron bang lugar sa Pilipinas na puwede tayong mag-bubble kasi wala namang Disneyland?"

Vargas said the board is ready to discuss plans and proposals with Commissioner Willie Marcial in a meeting set this week.
“We are ready to do what we have to do and in our next board meeting will focus on plans of the commissioner to already talk about a way of beginning the conference," he said.
The PBA chairman said the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, and Clark in Pampanga are among the venues being considered. Marcial said Batangas and Subic are also in the frame.
Based on the choices, the Araneta Coliseum and the Inspire Sports Academy carry a lot of advantages to host the PBA bubble.

The Smart-Araneta Coliseum is the only major sports facility in Metro Manila still available for its intended purpose as others such as the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and PhilSports Arena in Pasig have been turned into COVID-19 facilities.
Aside from the arena, the Big Dome is just adjacent to the Novotel where players, coaches, and staff can be housed during the bubble. The Novotel also has its own access to the Big Dome, which means players, coaches, team staff, and other essential PBA personnel need not go outside and risk contacting the virus.
According to its official website, the Novotel has 401 rooms - more than enough to accommodate all 12 PBA teams. Rates won’t be cheap, however, as one night could cost at least P4,000, based on the rates published by travel websites.

The Inspire Sports Academy, which is owned by National University, has a state-of-the-art court and training facility as well as a dormitel that has a total of 56 rooms (32 dorm-type, 20 hotel-type, and four executive rooms) for a total of 176 beds.
The world-class venue, which is set to host the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 bubble, also has a moden hospital just nearby, Vargas added.
Although Araneta Coliseum and Inspire Sports Academy already have the edge because of their ready sports facilities, the third site that is also being considered by the PBA isn’t bad at all.
The Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is considered a tourist hub and is home to several top-notch hotels, although absence of state-of-the-art basketball courts in the area may pose a problem for the league.
“Ang Inspire, ang problema is whether they can accommodate [all of the teams]. But they have very good facilities but we have to take a look at that kung pwede ‘yun. May malapit na medical facility sa NU so that is a plus," said Vargas.
"But puwede rin naman sa Clark. There are better hotels there or in Araneta if we can all fit in Novotel,” said Vargas.
Marcial said all the pros and cons will be discussed at the board level.
“Titignan namin lahat. Kung mapupunta sa sinasabi ni Chairman na bubble, ipe-present ko sa kanila lahat lahat, ilalatag ko sa kanila tapos titignan namin ‘yung mga options,” said Marcial.
Spin fans unite at the Spin Viber Community! Join the growing community now and complete the experience by subscribing to the Spin Chatbot.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph