THE first of two batches of PBA teams arrived at the Clark Freeport on Monday, signaling the countdown of the restart for the 2020 Philippine Cup.
Magnolia led four other ballclubs that left for Pampanga, where the league has set-up a bubble in which the only conference of the season will be played in a compact, two-month stretch starting on Oct. 11.
Each team met at a specific pick-up point and were transported by buses courtesy of Genesis Transport Service.
The Hotshots were the first to arrive at the Quest Hotel in Mimosa shortly after noon, while TnT Tropang Giga, Terra Firma Dyip, Meralco Bolts, and the Phoenix Fuel Masters followed suit.
Shortly upon arrival, all players and team personnel were subjected to swab testing and advised to stay isolated in their respective rooms until the test results come out.
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Negative results would mean that a team is already cleared to do scrimmages.
"Thankful sa PBA sa effort na ginagawa nila para matuloy ang liga," said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.
"We'll just try our best on how to manage the situation inside the bubble."
Magnolia will be heading to the restart holding a 0-1 record after losing to defending champion San Miguel on opening night, 94-78, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to suspend the season.
The seven other teams, namely, Barangay Ginebra, Alaska, NLEX, Blackwater, Rain or Shine, NorthPort, and San Miguel depart for the Clark bubble on Tuesday. (RG) / PHOTO courtesy of CDC
