THE PBA declined to divulge how much it will be spending to put up the bubble at Clark City in Pampanga for the restart of the season.
PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas was mum when asked about the financial cost, except to say that Commissioner Willie Marcial was able to lure potential backers to help finance the staging of the compressed Philippine Cup conference.
“Maybe we should not even advertise the cost. I apologize,” said Vargas in a virtual presser that followed the board meeting on Thursday at the PBA office in Libis. “For a two-month conference we're spending quite a sum of money to see this through.”
The NBA shelled out between $150 to $180 million to mount a bubble for the final stretch of its regular season, playoffs, and finals at Walt Disney World in Florida.
What's good about the PBA bubble, according to Vargas, was that the 12-member teams won't be spending a single centavo.
"The nice part about this is that your PBA, just like the NBA, has enough cash flow," said Vargas. "Teams didn't spend a single centavo."
Marcial also kept mum on the matter.
“Kung puwede huwag na nating pag-usapan. Ayoko na rin magsalita, yung chairman (ko) nga hindi na nagsalita,” said the commissioner.
But Marcial mentioned the big help and support extended by National Plan Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon.
“Si Secretary Dizon tinulungan niya yung PBA na maka-discount sa hotel, ang laking bagay doon sa Angeles University Foundation (game venue), pati sa ibang amenities,” the commissioner pointed out.
“Ang laki ng naitulong ni Secretary Dizon para matuloy itong (PBA) bubble.”
Dizon is also chief of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Presidential Adviser on Government Flagship Projects, who oversaw the construction of infrastructure when Clark served as the main hub for the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games last year.
“Negotiations went very well with a lot of support from Vince,” said Vargas.
Marcial added that aside from Dizon, Clark Development Corp (CDC) president Noel Manankil also had a huge hand in making the PBA bubble possible.
“Sila po ang key persons na kausap ko araw-araw, six times a day ang tawagan namin. Sila ang malaking tulong para sa project na ito,” said the commissioner.
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