Physical contact such as fist bumps, high-fives, and whatnot are discouraged by the PBA during its games inside the Clark bubble.
That is among the league’s strict health protocols, since it wants to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection for a smooth season resumption.
“Meron din tayong strict protocols na ipinagbabawal natin ‘yung more physical contact apart from the gameplay,” said Bases and Conversion Development Authority chief Vince Dizon in an online presser Tuesday.
“Kunwari ‘yung mga high-five, iniiwasan natin ‘yon,” added Dizon, also the National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said before that hefty sanctions await those who will violate protocols, especially those who will exit the bubble without permission.
But when asked if there will be penalties for those who may do fist bumps and high-fives in games, the amiable executive said there will be none.
Marcial understands that such actions are hard to control, as it usually happens during celebrations. Still, they will do their best to discourage players from doing so in accordance with the protocols in place.
“Sa una pagsasabihan muna natin na iwasan. Pero alam mo naman ‘pag buzzer beater, ‘di ba mae-excite ‘yun? So pipilitin natin na ‘wag nilang gawin.
“Wala namang penalties ‘yun, pero ‘yun nga, kasi nasa protocol ‘yan, susundin po namin ‘yan,” said the third-year league chief.
Dizon understands, too, so he hopes that the players will adapt to that quickly as part of the “new normal” brought upon by the pandemic.
“Naiintindihan naman natin ‘yung nature ng game eh. Ang term naman is discouraged eh, ‘yung mga fist bumps or ano, discouraged ‘yan,” said the Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs. “It’s very difficult, in the heat of the moment, in the excitement of the moment, mahirap talaga. Pero at least, alam ng players natin na it’s discouraged.
“It’s like us in the new normal in this pandemic, always thinking about not shaking hands and instead doing an elbow bump,” Dizon furthered. “Noong una, medyo mahirap. Muscle memory ‘yun eh, ‘yung kakamayan mo ‘yung tao. Pero ‘yun naman ang purpose natin ano, na discouraged and hopefully masanay na rin ‘yung mga players natin.”
