Amidst the uncertainty of the resumption of practices for the 45th PBA season, NLEX Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao assures his players are disciplined enough to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Speaking with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala on his radio show Power and Play Saturday, Guiao shared that the team is exercising extra precaution during the break.
The PBA has instituted a system following a semi-bubble concept, wherein players are highly urged to institute a bubble at home, and when possible, in their respective gyms. NLEX, on the other hand, added some extra provisions.
Aside from regular updates from the players to the team doctor, the team is requiring players to stay in their homes if possible.
"What we're doing now is we're actually preserving two bubbles. The first is your family bubble or household bubble. What we tell them is anybody who's not within your household is an alien," explained Guiao in a mixture of English and Filipino.
"As much as possible, don't let others enter your home. People who live there should only be the ones going in and out."
If the modified enhanced community quarantine gets downgraded to the general community quarantine (GCQ) on Aug. 18, which seems likely, the PBA will start to roll the wheels on a possible return.
This is where the second bubble is introduced, with groups of five integrated in their own practice sessions, in accordance with government regulation.
"If you can be able to preserve your house bubble, then there's a good chance you can sustain [the team's]," added the veteran coach. "You do the necessary protocols in order to preserve the two bubbles later on."
During the break, Guiao mentioned that his players have been trying to preserve their fitness through Zoom sessions.
"Many of them bought things like dumbbells, gym equipment, and their bands. They can use the time even though they're just home. You can really see the discipline in them. Everybody wants to play," furthered the coach.
In a separate interview with ESPN5.com last Thursday, the coach bared that the team was planning to go outside Metro Manila to practice, but nixed those plans at the last minute.
"We have decided to forego our plan of going out of town to practice while Metro Manila is under MECQ. We expect the official PBA start of practice once GCQ is declared in Metro Manila. Perhaps that could be late next week," expounded Guiao.
"I believe if we revert to GCQ on the 18th, the swab tests will proceed a few days after," closed the long-time mentor.