By JEREMIAH SEVILLA
SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – The remaining PBA delegates in the bubble relished the spirit of Christmas through a short yet lively event at the Quest Hotel on Thursday night.
Commissioner Willie Marcial and Quest General Manager Michael Gapin spearheaded the Christmas Lighting Event at the main lobby, making the official residence of the once 350-strong delegation merrier for the ones left inside the well-contained zone.
Ginebra, Phoenix, TNT and Meralco are the only remaining teams in the chase for the coveted Philippine Cup title.
However, the eliminated teams were still present in the program via a recorded video where all 12 squads and several hotel staff sang along to a rendition of Apo Hiking Society’s hit Christmas song Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko.
Marcial thanked the Quest employees for their continuous service.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga staff, sa mga tao ng Quest sa patuloy na serbisyo niyo sa amin,” said the PBA chief in his opening message. “Pasensya na po kayo sa kakulitan namin at madaling araw na kayo nakakatulog,” he added in jest.
The simple event brought the Yuletide atmosphere in the bubble as the remaining delegates continue to cope up with being away from their families.
Good thing is they will be in time for the Christmas celebration as the league will only last until December 13 at the latest.
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The benefit of yoga for Castro
Yoga has been the secret to TNT veteran guard Jayson Castro’s calm, cool and collected demeanor even in crunch time.
The Gilas Pilipinas star said he is doing meditation exercises for 45 minutes to an hour, three to four times a week to recharge and refocus every game day.
“Nagyo-yoga ako para maging calm ‘yung mga muscles and mind ko,” said the 34-year-old cager, who has been into yoga for almost a year now.
“As a basketball player kailangan ko din ng ganun para ma-focus ko ‘yung mind ko sa game.”
Castro needs to be composed as he is one of the veterans the Tropang Giga are counting on in their ongoing semifinal series against the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
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Quarantine diet for Perkins
Phoenix Super LPG forward Jason Perkins credited his healthy quarantine diet for his vastly improved performance in the bubble.
Perkins is running third in the statistical points race with 35.5 SPs, behind only teammate Matthew Wright (39.5) and Terrafirma’s CJ Perez (35.7).
“I live with my wife’s family during the quarantine period. They cook really well so I stopped eating fried chicken and bad foods,” said the 28-year-old bruiser.
The 2018 Rookie of the Year also acknowledged the help he’s getting from coach Topex Robinson as well as Wright who has him watching old basketball videos featuring the likes of American basketball greats Elgin Baylor and Don Nelson.
“The people around me like coach Topex, they really help me out mentally. And even going with Matt, his basketball IQ is crazy. He’s really helping me develop my IQ and confidence.”
