MERALCO already had a plan in place before other options cropped up, giving the Bolts a potential leg up over the other teams preparing for the PBA’s 46th season.
According to Meralco coach Norman Black, the Bolts have accepted an invitation from Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc and would be setting up a training camp bubble in the provincial capital of Laoag City.
“We were in contact with Gov. Matt maybe five, four weeks ago, and he invited us to hold our practices there,” Black told Malaya-Business Insight. “We just decided to accept his offer.”
Black added their decision to accept Manotoc’s invitation came before Batangas City opened its doors for the PBA teams to hold practices there last week.
The PBA has targeted a June 15 start for its season-opening Philippine Cup.
“We already had a plan in place already. This was before we knew about Batangas,” Black said, adding his team has been swab tested and is set to leave for Laoag this Saturday so they could start practices by Monday.
“Nothing against Batangas,” added Black. “There are 12 teams in the league, so obviously it’s going to be very difficult for all 12 teams to practice in one place every day.”
Commissioner Willie Marcial had disclosed that Batangas City officials have offered the use of Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas State University and Lyceum of Batangas as practice facilities, but only on an every-other-day basis.
“May mga disinfections pa kasing gagawin after each practice kaya mahihirapang maging araw-araw ang practices sa mga venues na iyon kahit tatlo pa sila,” Marcial explained.
Last Friday, the IATF gave the PBA teams the go-signal to start their month-long practices as early as next Tuesday in areas under GCQ or MGCQ. Batangas is under GCQ while the more relaxed MGCQ is in effect in Ilocos Norte.
Metro Manila, where most of the teams’ usual practice gyms are located, is currently under MECQ.
Black welcomed the IATF decision regarding team practices but pointed out that all teams cannot leave anything to chance.
“Considering that the government said that we can practice 5-on-5 in areas under GCQ certainly give the teams the option of practicing in other areas,” said Black.
“It doesn’t have to be Batangas, it could be anywhere, as long as they can get the permissions allowing them to practice there then they would be able to do so.
“We’re not limited to one place as long as we obtain the permits to practice in that area.”
Black added they would be ready to return to the Big City should it be placed under a more relaxed quarantine status.
“I believe our stint (in Laoag) is for only 10 days. It could be extended, but right now I think it’s only scheduled for 10 days,” he said. “And then we’ll be back in Metro Manila and hopefully we’ll be able to practice here.”
