Entering the PBA bubble in less than three weeks, most PBA players are thrilled and excited but there are those with mixed feelings.
Then there's the solidarity and commitment to a noble idea of delivering something to the nation in a time like no other.
NLEX guard Kevin Alas and NorthPort playmaker Nico Elorde are among those bringing in bags of mixed emotions, the former being a newly wed guy and the latter enjoying at home a newborn baby.
Alaska Milk coach Jeffrey Cariaso himself is a brand new dad to a second child with former courtside reporter Erika Padilla. And so is LA Tenorio to a very first daughter with his beloved wife.
But they are braving the two-month PBA bubble in Clark, embracing the responsibility to play and provide some entertainment to the Filipino people in this pandemic period.
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"Malungkot kasi more than a week pa lang kaming kinasal ni Selina (Dagdag). As much as possible I want to spend time with her kasi honeymoon stage. Pero professional players tayo, it's our responsibility na maglaro at the same time to give entertainment to fans," said Alas on Sports Page on TV5 Tuesday night.
"Sobrang mixed emotions for me na makakabalik na, magbabasketball na at the same time din mahirap lumayo ngayon kasi kakapanganak lang ni Mich (del Carmen)," said Elorde.
But both are ready to endure the Clark confinement to give their share to what they firmly believe is something great the PBA is doing in this crisis.
The league is sacrificing gate receipts and spending quite an amount to put a 350-strong delegation in the Clark bubble for an endeavor that could be a model or symbol for the country coping with the new normal.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria, who will be out to steer his team to a Philippine Cup five-peat, said it's about trying to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
"We just have to accept the reality whether may fans o wala, we have to do our best. We're capable of doing something outside of our comfort zone. Makikita nila how professional we are," said Austria.
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"Guys are professionals. For us to be able to continue and go through this conference, they're gonna have to really sacrifice," said Cariaso.
The Alaska coach said each one also has to be responsible, foremost is in observing health protocols inside the bubble.
"It's always the idea of you keeping your distance, wearing a mask for others because you don't want to infect everyone else. I think that goes in the bubble even more," Cariaso said.
With this, they can march on and help the league through in this much-awaited bubble play. (SB)
