IT was hard from the start, but eventually the TnT Katropa got used to life inside the bubble.
As the only team to undergo workouts in a place where they exclusively stay, the Katropa have gotten to embrace the routine that they do at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
It's been almost two weeks now since the franchise began its two-week training at the facility found inside the National University campus. The team is set conclude its workouts by Sept. 9.
"It has become a habit. Kailangan masanay ka," said coach Bong Ravena of how the team has managed so far training in isolation.
"Mahirap una kasi malayo ka (sa pamilya mo). Pero sanayan lang. Yung mga ginagawa mo dati, hindi mo na magawa ngayon. So kailangan mag-adjust ka, kung hindi ikaw rin ang mahihirapan."
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The Katropa work out twice a day - one morning session and the other, in the afternoon.
Just like the rest of the PBA teams, they also strictly follow the league-mandated health protocols.
"Four or three players per batch kasama ang isang coach and a health officer. One hour workout per group," said Ravena. "May 30 minutes na interval for the court to be disinfected."
The players, coaches, and team staff don't go anywhere other than the gym and their rooms inside a dorm hotel.
"After training, wala ka naman ibang pupuntahan kundi sa kuwarto lang. So ganun lang ang routine namin," said the TnT mentor, who's being assisted in the Katropa workouts by deputies Sandy Arespacochaga, Josh Reyes, and Alton Lister, together with active consultant Mark Dickel.
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The Katropa brought team doctors with them along with dietician Jeaneth Aro, while an assigned chef is the one who prepares the TnT food complete from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with two snacks in between.
"May parang kusina kami, doon mo kukunin yung packed food mo kasi bawal ang buffet," said Ravena. "May pangalan and room number na nakasulat sa mga pagkain, so kukunin mo na lang yun tapos balik ulit sila sa kuwarto."
At least, the Katropa have already prepared themselves for such lifestyle should the PBA adopt a bubble-concept once the season finally resumes. (RG)
