Philippines, 06 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: PBA PH Cup bubble, a success, says Marcial


PhilBoxing.com



Willie Marcial.

That the PBA Philippine Cup bubble was a success is an understatement.

Not only that the first of its kind in the country and Asia, for that matter, was a success, it proved a signal for Philippine sports to move forward besides providing means on how to lessen the spread of COVID-19 through regular testing, social distancing, mask-wearing and contact tracing through the entire bubble

“We had a perfect zero negative tests in in our entire stay at Clark for two and-a-half months,“ PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial asserted in an interview with THE MANILA TIMES a few days after host Clark Development Corp. lowered the curtains on the bubble.

“Some of our PBA staffers had small calendar each in their pockets recording results of every tests. Pati ilang player. And I’m happy to report, no positive cases. If that’s not a success, I don’t know what is,” Marcial proudly exclaimed.

“Walang nag-positive among the more or less 500 members of the entourage, including team members, game officials and members of print and television media,”

“Salamat sa Clark Development Corpo. (CDC), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and their all personnel for their efforts and support throughout the duration of the PBA Philippine Cup bubble,” he said.

Marcial, likewise, expressed his gratitude to Quest Hotel, which served as home to all those involved in the bubble, and the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga, venue of all the games held.

Marcial noted the suitability of the CDC facilities to be an ideal site for conducting future bubble events.

“Even FIBA has also noticed the ideal Clark facilities, as well as that of AUF which they now plan to use during our hosting of the Third Window of the on-going Asia Cup qualifying tournaments,” he disclosed.

“Clark is perfect choice for future international sporting events the country is committed to host,” he assured.

The Barangay Ginebra Kings Gin Kings took advantage undermanned TNT Tropang Giga side to claim their first PBA All-Filipino crown in 13 years.

And now that’s the league has survived the bubble with a new champion, the next step, according to its Commissioner, is to prepare for the celebration of its 46th Season in April next year.

“All our efforts now will be directed at hopefully returning to where we started 45 years ago in April and hold, not only one, but the usual three-Conference format,” Marcial told this writer.

The PBA top man, it can be recalled, was, at first, worried about the idea of a Philippine Cup bubble, but never resisted when the idea was brought to the table.

“Not quiet a few were skeptical to the idea because, first and foremost, noong una, hindi masyadong malinaw kung paano namin ma-meet ang tungkol sa gastos,” Marcial reminisced during the interview.

“Iilan nga ang naniniwalang we could we could do it successfully, just like our NBA counrterpart in the U.S., “Marcial recalled. .

“Later on, though, after the needed budget was prepared, we, the Office of the Commissioner, members of the Board of Governors and including players, coaches when consulted, agreed that the league, in particular and Philippine sports in general, should start moving,” the league commissioner explained.

The PBA spent close to P65 million for the Clark bubble

The bulk of the cost was in accommodation and food of the participants, although the league was able to cut down the cost by getting discounts. The PBA was also able to get free testing kits required for the players.

All the problems were addressed properly as he bubble progressed – especially those concerned with the players' health and safety.

"Una, safety muna ang aming siniguro. Do they have, for instance enough space for us to assure safety, number 2 the medical facility is also important... number 3 was the cost, it is important for us as well. The facilities not only in the playing court but also their well being.

No, the PBA didn’t build a fortress. It ensured that people won’t be wandering in and out of the hotel. Participants were separated from the general public, they were provided with opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, physical distancing with relative ease.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Antimaro, Jimenez to fight in Japan on June 7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • “Prospects Collide” Full Card Announced
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Correa Set for High-Stakes Bantamweight Showdown vs. Undefeated Michael Angeletti on ProBox TV
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Kansas Athletic Commission overturns ‘No Contest’ to TKO win for undefeated Super middleweight prospect Marco Romero
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • 2nd JCI Senate Lipa Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • RING III: TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THRILLING JULY 12 NEW YORK DOUBLE HEADER FEATURING STEVENSON-ZEPEDA AND BERLANGA-SHEERAZ
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Unbeaten Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Faces Power-Punching Shaquille Cameron on Most Valuable Prospects 13, Live on DAZN
    , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • IIEE National Chess Olympiad
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Jun 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Mental Health & Mental Wellness
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • Inaugural AFBC Normalisation Committee meeting sets vision for strategic reforms and collaboration
    , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • PACQUIAO AT L.A. PRESSCON: "I'M BACK!"
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • Preparation and Planning are Keys to Pacquiao’s Success
    By Ed de la Vega, DDS, , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • THURSDAY: Albert Ramirez-Michael Flannery Battle of Unbeatens to Stream LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
    , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • Is Martin next Manny?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • AMMO LANDS IBF WORLD TITLE FINAL ELIMINATOR AGAINST OLIHA ON BAM-CAFU SHOW
    , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • Bree Howling Ready to Shine in Battle of Undefeated Bantamweights on Most Valuable Prospects 13 June 7th
    , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT FIGHT WEEK NEWS AND NOTES 
    , Wed, 04 Jun 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 6 - ALI KNOCKS FOREMAN OUT IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 03 Jun 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
    , Tue, 03 Jun 2025
  • CSAC Overturns Navarrete-Suarez Result, Orders Immediate Rematch
    , Tue, 03 Jun 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 June 2025: Takei Stops Tongdee in 1; Nunez Defeats Rikiishi; Melikuziev Outpoints Fulghum; Resendiz Upsets Plant; Charlo Stops LaManna
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 03 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated Bantamweight Reina Tellez to Face Veteran Maria Salinas on Most Valuable Prospects 13
    , Tue, 03 Jun 2025
  • Former New York Boxing Chairperson Ron Scott Stevens still enthusiastic about Boxing, Film & Theater in California
    , Tue, 03 Jun 2025
  • FM Cu rules Chess Mind Grandprix May Edition
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Jun 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.