TROUBLE in the bubble?
It was not the case for former University of Santo Tomas prized playmaker and reigning Rookie of the Year Mark Nonoy and guard Deo Cuajao.
Speaking on Radyo5 92.3 News FM’s Power and Play program hosted by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala last Saturday, Nonoy and Cuajao revealed they had no issues with the alleged bubble training held by the Growling Tigers at the hometown of former coach Aldin Ayo in Capuy, Sorsogon City.
The 5-foot-8 Nonoy added his former teammates based in Manila traveled to the province first.
A native of La Carlota, Negros Occidental, Nonoy admitted there was indeed training but insisted the squad did not violate the government’s stringent COVID-19 health protocols.
“Kasabay ko iyong mga taga-province. Nauna iyong mga taga-Manila.
Noong hindi pa nag-start iyong class, hinihiwalay iyong training. Morning kami, 5 a.m. nagtra-training. Iyong nauna, natra-training sila kapag 8 a.m. Hindi kami sabay-sabay sa court,” said Nonoy.
“Ini-observe namin iyong protocol ng IATF. Wala naman kaming nilabag doon.
Walang scrimmage pero anim kami, tapos sila hinihiwalay sila. Iyong iba nasa gym, iba nasa court,” he added.
Nonoy and Cuajao confirmed there were plans of holding the ill-fated Sorsogon bubble after the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, where UST was seeing action as Builders Warehouse-UST, was suspended indefinitely last March 11 at the start of the government-imposed lockdown to stem the spread of the contagion.
The existence of waivers addressed to former Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) director Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP, was also true, according to both players.
“March pa lang, pagkatapos ng D-League noong pinauwi kami, sabi babalik kami.
