PBA Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro expressed gratitude for the special citation given to the league’s staff in the PBA Press Corps Annual Awards Night, Sunday at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong.
The group of sportswriters covering the PBA beat honored the 17-man personnel he headed for their efforts in making sure that the two-month Philippine Cup bubble held in Clark last year would be staged successfully.
“It is not every day that the tireless and unheralded efforts of the PBA staff are put in this kind of spotlight,” wrote the amiable executive in a message to the Press Corps the day after the award rites held in partnership with Cignal.
“On behalf of the hardworking men and women of the PBA, I would like to thank the PBA Press Corps for the recognition.”
The bubble was not without difficulties, with fears that the league would have to call off its season resumption late in October. Still, the PBA managed to traverse troubled waters big thanks to its strong-willed crew.
Everything went smoothly after that, and the league finished its most challenging season yet, with the Gin Kings emerging as the new all-Filipino champions after beating TNT Tropang Giga in five games.
Also thanks to the men and women behind the scenes, the PBA has become a prime example that the bubble set-up for local pro sports is a safe and feasible way of resuming play amidst the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Asia’s pioneering pro league was the first Filipino league to hold games in a bubble set-up. And it is definitely more than equipped should it hold another bubble for its 46th season targeted to open on April 9.
Earlier this year, some of the PBA’s staffers were also cited for their hard work. They were awarded with the Bida ng Bubble honors during the league’s virtual Special Awards Night, where last season’s top performers were crowned.
