The Bases Conversion and Development Authority has assured that strict health protocols will be implemented to ensure the safety of over 600 local and foreign players, coaches, and tournament staff during the International Basketball Federation Asia Cup Qualifiers, to be held in Clark next month.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Vince Dizon said the BCDA and its subsidiary Clark Development Corp., in coordination with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the national government, and the local governments of Pampanga and Angeles City, are doing the necessary preparations to provide a safe sports bubble environment for the nine participating teams.
The movement of players, coaches, and staff will be limited to within the airport, hotels and the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center where the tournament will be held. The designated hotels are Quest Hotel and Conference Center in Mimosa and Lohas Hotel in Redwood Villas, both in the Clark Freeport Zone.
While the games are slated for June 16 to 20, the 200 foreign delegates from eight countries and territories are scheduled to arrive on June 13. They will be quarantined the next day, and practices will be held on June 15. Visiting teams will depart on June 21.
They are required to take reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests 12 days, seven days, and two days before departure to the Philippines.
They must also secure RT-PCR tests on the day of arrival, four days after arrival, and before departure if required by the country of destination.
A total of 617 participants are expected to be included in the bubble. Aside from the foreign teams, included in the Clark event are the Gilas Pilipinas team, FIBA and SBP personnel, hotel, transport and ancillary staff, and other staff from TV5, PLDT and Smart, who are official partners with FIBA.
The country will host Groups A (Philippines, Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia), B (Chinese Taipei, Japan, and China), and C (Hong Kong and Guam) for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Teams will play their window matches in a bid to gain a slot in the tournament proper, which will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from August 16 to 28.*PNA
