By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is thoroughly tracking their preparations for the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers February window and is making sure that everything will be falling into place as early as now.
While expecting the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup to be action-packed and competitive, the SBP said that players and the participating countries should also expect stricter health protocols than what they experienced during the last bubble.
Under the proposed protocols mapped out by the SBP and some from the FIBA staff, a new set of rules will be followed by all who will enter the bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
First, all teams are required to undergo COVID-19 testing 72 hours prior to their departure and another one will be conducted during their arrival at the Clark International airport.
Those who will be testing positive will be isolated in a place yet to be disclosed by the SBP and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) led by president and CEO Secretary Vince Dizon.
“Depending on the procedure that we will work out with the group of Sec. Dizon, you may be transferred to an isolation facility until you’re all clear again,” shared SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.
Second in the new rules is that players or any part of the staff testing positive for COVID-19 will have to stay in the quarantine facility for 14 days.
“If it takes 14 days, even if your team has already departed earlier than 14 days, you will stay in the quarantine place until you’re all clear. That’s how strict the group of Secretary Vince will be. That’s why he keeps on repeating that he intends to make it even a safer bubble than what we have,” added Barrios.
Regarding the bubble format, the FIBA officials and the SBP are planning to adopt the same as what they did in Bahrain and the PBA.
All plans will be put into order and will be materialized once the SBP and FIBA will conduct their final meeting regarding the February window.
