TNT is looking to implement a “bubble” concept as part of its preparation for the resumption of the 2020 PBA season.
Team governor Ricky Vargas bared that the KaTropa recently sought the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) to conduct practices in a certain area where they will stay for a certain period of time to prepare for the return of the PBA season.
The “bubble” concept will also protect the players from contracting COVID-19 before the season formally resumes.
“We wrote the PBA and the IATF asking permission if we can practice along the lines of the protocol that the PBA put together as well,” said Vargas, who is also the PBA chairman.
Vargas admitted, though, that the team has yet to receive any reply from the IATF with regards to the request.
“Walang denial eh. Wala ring sagot,” Vargas said.
SPIN learned that there are other teams which have similar requests to practice under a “bubble,” which will allow the clubs to train among themselves before the actual return to training to be implemented by the PBA.
The “bubble” will also have health protocols in order to prevent a possible contagion of the virus, while still able to practice as a team.
Under the PBA’s return to practice protocol, only six persons per batch will be present during training – four players, one trainer, and one health officer.
The KaTropa are robust in their chances of a better performance for 2020, after acquiring a legitimate big man in Poy Erram from NLEX via a trade. Ray Parks also has the benefit of time to get accustomed to the TNT system under head coach Bong Ravena and active consultant Mark Dickel.
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