SUBIC — With the whole Basilan-Jumbo Plastic squad placed under seven-day quarantine which started last March 9, the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Cup needs changing.
Basilan and Davao Occidental-Cocolife were supposed to play the rubber match of their Southern Division Finals series on Wednesday, but it was then postponed to a later date. Two Steel players found out they tested positive for COVID-19 while they were at their quarantine hotel.
MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said two scenarios could happen for the remainder of the Subic bubble.
If all the swab tests of Basilan’s players and officials return negative, the South Division finals decider will take place on March 17. The National Finals start immediately the next day.
However, if even at least one swab test from the Steel delegation comes back positive, the Tigers will claim the South division title by default and the National Finals will commence on March 17.
“If may mag-positive ulit sa Basilan team, ang National Finals diretso na ng March 17. Win by default na si Davao kasi ibig sabihin noon, close contact kasi sila (Basilan team), so baka nag-manifest na sa ibang players,” the league commissioner said.
The league’s top honcho also said that the two players who earlier tested positive will not be allowed to play in the decider anymore.
“Ang ire-reswab na lang ay ‘yung mga negative. ‘Yung dalawang nag-positive out na talaga ‘yun.”
San Juan grabbed the first ticket to the Finals when they pounded the five-man Makati, 131-54, at the Subic Bay Gymnasium here, Wednesday.
After a delay of a week, the league has no other recourse but to cramp the schedule. The best-of-five Finals will be played on consecutive days, starting either on the 17th or 18th, with just a one-day breather after Game Two.
“Everyday siya ngayon, except pagdating ng Game Two, may break na isang araw bago mag-Game Three,” said Duremdes.
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