Philippines, 25 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


First case of Covid-19 hit PBA


PhilBoxing.com




The fate of the PBA referee found to be positive to Covid-19 virus following an antigen test on Wednesday will be known Friday or Saturday.

The referee, whose identity remained anonymous, meanwhile, was taken out of the Quest Hotel where the entire 300-man PBA delegation is billeted, and transferred to the Clark athletes’ village for the usual 14-day quarantine isolation and re-testing.

Said game official was one of the three-man crew that worked on the Alaska Aces and Blackwater Elite game of the on-going PBA 2020 Philippine Cup on Tuesday, was scheduled to undergo the more rigorous RT-PCR test yesterday.

“We have to wait two or three days pa bago lumabas ang resulta ng test,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial told THE MANILA TIMES Thursday morning in a telephone interview. “So, bukas o Sabado pa natin malalaman kung ano susunod nating hakbang.”

Marcial expressed hopes, though, the official will pass the test as he did in several tests he underwent before arriving at the bubble early this month.

The referee was tested on Oct. 19 along with 27 others whose tests all came back negative Tuesday, the league Commissioner recalled. “He had previously tested negative three times, twice before entering the bubble and once after.”

Marcial, along with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) said in a joint statement, the latest finding could be a case of “false positive.”

Such observation was shared by Dr. George Canlas, the PBA adviser on the bubble, who said in a text message to this writer: “May I suggest we wait for the results of the swab test done yesterday. All indications point. (though), to a “false positive.”

“Nevertheless , we're still asking all concerned to take all the needed precautions for the good of everybody,” Marcial stressed, adding team officials of both Alaska and Blackwater had also requested that players of both squad be, likewise, undergo testing.

No decision on the request has been taken, though, as of this writing.

Despite this development, the CDC has given the PBA clearance to proceed with the remaining games inside the bubble, Marcial bared. “Stricter measures, of course, have been set in place for implementation.”

This is the first time since lockdown in all sport activities were banned that the country’s first play-for-pay league has been affected by the spread of virus.

In the meantime, what was left of the seven referees in the pool will be tasked to officiate back-to-back games each playing days. An additional two to three from Manila will reinforce the pool.

"Siguro, we’ll assign three referees to enter the floor during games so the alternate referee can officiate in the second game. We're pacing the officials, too," Marcial said.

All activities inside the hotel, including the use of the swimming pool and the gym has been suspended . Even jogging will temporarily be stopped to give way to disinfecting.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea of The Manila Times.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • PHL bids to host WB Congress
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Joel "Lethal" Lewis talks boxing evolution and upcoming Thunderdome 52 fight this Friday in Perth
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Granite Chin Promotions signs Milton pro boxer Jenn Perella
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Mabuhay at Salamat: ‘The Thirty’ Filipino Boxers Who Became Giants
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • World-ranked Lightweight Dynamo Justin Pauldo Collides with Hard-punching Nike Theran
    , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Fastest Pinay in IronMan 70.3 World comes from Lanao del Norte
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin confirmed as new President of World Boxing at Congress 2025 in Rome
    , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Panama City will host the World Boxing Ordinary Congress in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Tadlas, Busayong rule 42K in 3rd SDSPPO Run for a Cause
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • "The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • "Bam" Rodriguez Stops "Puma" Martínez in 10
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • Abdullah Mason Edges Sam Noakes in War, Becomes Youngest Current World Champion
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 2: 1908 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, ENGLAND
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025
  • FRANCISCO VERON DOMINATES ROIMAN VILLA IN MAIN EVENT OF PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM IN FORT LAUDERDALE
    , Sat, 22 Nov 2025
  • Lining enters Round of 32
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025
  • The Ring IV: Night of Champions Set to Ignite Riyadh Saturday
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025
  • Final list of candidates announced for elections at World Boxing Congress 2025
    , Sat, 22 Nov 2025
  • RING/DAZN PPV Card Gives Bang for the Bucks
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 21 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
    , Fri, 21 Nov 2025
  • JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025
  • Pacquiao, Nine Other Pinoys in Latest Ring Ratings
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.