THE safety of everyone in the team is the primary reason why TNT coach Chot Reyes is seriously inclined to set up their PBA pre-season training camp in Laoag City.
Reyes said if they formalize their acceptance of a long-standing invitation from Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc and opt to set up a bubble in the provincial capital it would be easier for him and other Tropang Giga team officials to keep a closer tab on their personnel.
“Pina-plano, pero ako gusto kong gawin iyon,” Reyes told Malaya-Business Insight.
“I think if we’re off somewhere else in a bubble it is going to be safer than nandito kami sa Metro Manila nag-pa-practice, nag-uuwian mga players, araw-araw biyahe ka. Mas delikado iyon, di ba?” added Reyes.
“At least, however long or short ‘yung duration ng bubble namin, alam ko lahat kami magkakasama doon. Sure ako na we’re going to be good in that situation.”
Reyes added the only thing keeping TNT from fully going ahead with the plan is the paperwork needed to get the necessary permissions.
“May mga hinihintay pa kami. Para maka-practice kailangan pa ng mga permits, approvals, protocols and all that,” said Reyes. “Nakapag-pa RT-PCR test na (last Wednesday) mga players. So there are some things needing to be done first before we can get that training bubble done.”
There’s also Mikey Williams, the Fil-Am guard made the fourth pick overall by the Tropa in the last PBA rookie draft.
“We’re still waiting for Mikey’s arrival by tonight at the earliest,” said Reyes. “Hinintay kasi niya second dose ng kanyang vaccination. Kaya pagdating niya dito vaccinated na siya.”
Should TNT decide to go to Laoag, it would be the second team to do so after Meralco.
The Bolts are set to leave for Laoag tomorrow night, arrive there Sunday morning and start their training camp Monday.
Meralco coach Norman Black has said their initial plan is for the camp to last for only 10 days, but that could be extended.
“Kami ganoon din,” said Reyes.
The IATF last Friday gave PBA teams the go-signal to practice in areas under at least GCQ since Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces are still under MECQ.
Aside from Laoag, Batangas City has also opened its doors to the teams. Both cities are under GCQ.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that “unofficially” five to seven teams have signified their intention to train in Batangas.
That number could change, however, should the government decide to revert NCR to GCQ, meaning teams can conduct their workouts and scrimmages at their usual practice venues within the Big City.
The PBA wants its teams to conduct full scrimmages for about a month to get them in game-shape for the targeted June 15 start of the league’s long-delayed 46th season.
