Situation at PBA bubble ‘manageable,’ says Palace

Malacañang on Monday ruled out a government probe into the situation at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) sports bubble in Pampanga after one of its players reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the situation had been addressed by the league and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

“The bubble is still intact po, it just so happened pero manageable naman po ang situation because of the existing bubble so tuloy pa rin po iyan,” Roque said at a news conference.

Asked if there was a need for the government’s COVID-19 task force to conduct an investigation, Roque said: “Hindi na po dahil sila po’y nag-contact tracing at ilan lang naman po sila diyan so madali ang contact tracing.”

The PBA said the player is a member of Blackwater Elite, whose game on Sunday against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters was postponed to a later date.

On Monday, the PBA said the player tested negative following an RT-PCR test. His antigen test also came back negative. He is currently in quarantine at the Athletes' Village in New Clark City.

The league also said a referee, who was earlier reported to have been infected with the virus, tested negative both on RT-PCR and antigen.

"The PBA bubble remains intact, and has not been breached," the league said. "Nevertheless, we urge all participants to be extra cautious and strictly follow the protocols set for them inside the bubble."—AOL, GMA News