Pingris calls on peers to be responsible in PBA bubble

MANILA, Philippines — PBA players are both excited and wary of the upcoming training resumption but fully embrace the method by which the pro league intends to accomplish it.

As approved by the Inter Agency Task Force, the PBA will implement strict health and safety guidelines for the non-scrimmage practices targeted to start Aug. 10 upon completion of mandatory swab testing.

Asia’s first play-for-pay league will adopt a “closed circuit” approach, where players will have a strict daily routine of home-gym-home.

If they have to break the routine, like making grocery or drugstore runs, and interact with people outside the “bubble,” they have to declare it to the PBA.

“I’m sure the league is doing everything to make it safe for us so I’m all for what the PBA will tell us to do so we can monitor the players’ movements,” Magnolia’s Marc Pingris said in Tuesday’s Sports Page on One Sports.

Pingris expressed confidence being professionals, the players will be responsible inside the PBA “bubble.”

“You know as professional players, aalagaan natin hindi lang ang sarili kundi pamilya natin, tulungan tayo at maging maingat sa lahat,” he said.

San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo, who’s still on rehab from his shin injury, said he sees no problem with the restricted player movement and constant monitoring.

“It’s for my sake and everyone’s so it’s no big deal for me,” said the reigning MVP who isn’t expected to join the training yet.

The two said their peers wouldn’t mind getting swabbed every 10 days as required in the protocols.