IF Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua would have his way, the PBA should hold its 46th season on April at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“Kung nagawa ng PBA ang Clark bubble, pwede rin siguro ang Manila bubble,” said Chua during the “Chasedown” episode on Cignal TV last Saturday.
Chua, also the sports director of San Miguel Corp. , batted for the tournament to be played at the Araneta Coliseum or in smaller venue around Metro Manila because of its proximity.
Chua also said he is also in favor with the proposal to hold the games in a closed circuit venue where the players would observe a strict home-venue-home routine.
A former player-coach himself, Chua admitted things would be easier to decide on should the vaccine for COVID-19 has been rolled out in the country by February or March.
Minus the vaccine, Chua said he is in favor any kind of bubble concept at the Big Dome or even in a smaller venue somewhere in Metro Manila.
The PBA, headed by Commissioner Willie Marcial, is targetting April 9 as the season opener.
Marcial said the date is league landmark with the PBA playing its very first game (featuring Mariwasa versus Concepcion Carrier) on April 9, 1975.
Chua also gave Marcial and the PBA staff a “perfect grade in his handling of the successful PBA Season 45 bubble play in Clark, Pampanga.
He said Marcial managed to do it while strictly following the health and safety protocols of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on emerging Infectious Diseases) thru the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
“Ang hirap nun, pero nairaos ni Commissioner Willie,” said Chua, referring to Marcial.
He said the successful PBA formula during the restart also served as example to other professionalsports which resumed under the new normal.
