PBA hopes to begin scrimmages on Wednesday

PBA ball clubs could start holding scrimmages as early as tomorrow to better prepare for the season resumption in Clark, Pampanga on Oct. 11.

The league is currently waiting for the swab test results of the first four teams that arrived at the former US military base Monday.

Magnolia was the very first team to enter the bubble, followed by Meralco, Phoenix Super LPG, and TNT.

“‘Pag naging negative lahat ‘yung kahapon, start na ‘yun bukas,” said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial in an online presser, Tuesday.

“Hinihintay lang natin ‘yung test result. Pagkatapos noon, game na tayo, scrimmages na tayo.”

Ginebra, Alaska, Terra Firma, NLEX, and Blackwater arrived at Clark on Tuesday. San Miguel, NorthPort, and Rain or Shine are then expected to complete the cast within the day.

“We’re waiting for the results. Typically it’s 24-48 hours,” said Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and CEO Vince Dizon.

“Hopefully, may makuha na po tayong results by tonight. If not, by tomorrow morning,” Dizon added.

Once results come out negative, teams could hold full-contact practices, something that they have longed for after months of individual workouts.

Practices will take place at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center, also the official venue of the games.

The league, though, is still looking at other possible venues within the bubble where teams can hold shootarounds.

“Ang practice ay dun sa fourth floor ng Angeles University, meron sa second floor. May dalawa doon,” said Marcial.

Once all teams are cleared for scrimmages, practices will begin at 6 in the morning, with each team allowed to use the facility for two hours.

“Magsisimula sila ng 6 a.m. — 8 a.m. para dalawang oras sila mag-practice,” shared the third-year league chief.

So far, Marcial said that things have been going on smoothly inside the bubble. He said that the schedule might be released by Oct. 5 or Oct. 7.

Along with the release of Season 45’s schedule will be the official lineups of teams that will play in the compressed Philippine Cup.