THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is taking extra measures to ensure the safety of all the participants in the Philippine Cup now being played in a bubble-like environment at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena in Pampanga.
One such precautionary measure is postponing the game between Talk N Text Tropang Giga and Northport Batang Pier originally scheduled on Monday.
That’s because Talk N Text was the last team to play against Blackwater last Thursday and was placed in isolation, too.
After a Blackwater player was considered a “suspected case”, the entire Blackwater team has also been isolated.
Last Sunday, the PBA announced that confirmatory test on the Blackwater player yielded negative result, although he remains in quarantine for safety precaution.
“Talk N Text, Terrfirma, Magnolia, Meralco and Phoenix will undergo their third RT-PCR test cycle on Tuesday followed by the remaining teams in the coming days,” the PBA said in a statement.
The PBA said all PBA delegates — officials, staff and referees, TV5 delegates and Quest hotel staff — all tested negative.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 92-102 setback to Magnolia when it meets Rain or Shine in the main game at 6:40 p.m. today.
The Gin Kings swept their first four games before losing to the Hotshots last Sunday.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said his players need to regain their focus and get back into the winning track to boost their chances of making it to the top four with a twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarterfinals.
Rain or Shine dropped a heartbreaking 88-89 decision to Alaska last Thursday and had a chance to bounce back last Monday.
But its game against Blackwater was reset to a later date after an Elite was considered as a suspected case for the coronavirus.
Games Tuesday:
(AUF Sport Arena)
4 p.m. — Alaska vs. Terrafirma
6:40 p.m. – -Rain or Shine vs. Ginebra
