PBA reboot success Marcial’s birthday wish; Arwind so near yet so far

Inside the bubble

CLARK, Philippines — PBA bubble success and safety of the entire delegation.

That’s the only wish of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial as he turned 59 yesterday inside the bubble at Quest Hotel in the Mimosa Leisure Estate which will be the home of the 350-strong PBA entourage until December.

“Sana magtuloy-tuloy ito at matapos natin nang maayos. Sana healthy at safe ang buong delegation,” Marcial told The STAR, reiterating that he could not ask for a better gift other than the success of the PBA restart after a seven-month hiatus.

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Home suddenly feels like an unfamiliar territory for Pampanga pride Arwind Santos.

Seeing his Kabalens on the way to every practice, Santos admitted feeling emotional that he and the rest of the PBA delegation could not entertain photo ops and autograph signing under strict bubble protocols.

“It’s sad in a way because we’re playing in our home yet we can’t be with the fans. I know we can bring happiness to them with those small gestures so I want to say sorry to them,” said Santos.

“I hope they understand. This is for them and for the PBA. This is for the safety of everyone.”

Santos, from the nearby Lubao town, feels he’s so near yet so far. He said, though, that the mere home vibe should be enough motivation for his fellow Kapampangan players in the PBA Bubble.

Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, Ian Sangalang and Mike Miranda are among the many Kapampangans in the PBA fold.

“I’m still happy. I grew up here. This is where I started playing the game. This is where I dreamed. This is for my Kabalens,” the former MVP concluded.

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Fun times swinging at the golf course can wait for now as most of the players put aside leisure activities to focus on daily basketball grind.

Most PBA golfers passed on their schedule at Mimosa golf yesterday. Monday has been the allotted time to the players while inside the bubble until December.

Only superstar forward James Yap and rookie Prince Rivero were seen letting it fly in the fairways yesterday.

SMB assistant coach Jorge Gallent, Blackwater coach Nash Racela, Yap, NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena and NorthPort’s Sean Anthony were the first PBA personalities to have a round of golf the previous Monday.

Other players who have tried swinging in the world-class golf course were Christian Standhardinger, Kelly Nabong, Diego Dario and Matt Salem.