A total of seven teams have already gone through their first polymerase chain reaction (PRC) testing held at Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City.
Zamboanga City Family’s Brand Sardines, Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes, Gapan Chooks, and Bacolod Master Sardines had their testings last Monday while Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors, Palayan City Capitols, and Porac-Big Boss Cement Green Gorillas had it Wednesday.
The remaining teams, Bicol Volcanoes, Sarangani Marlins, Val City Classic, and a special select team will have theirs on Friday and Monday next week.
“Nagkaroon kami ng staggered testing. Yesterday, four teams tested then today we had another four teams. So staggered din ‘yung pag-practice ng teams,” said league commissioner Eric Altamirano.
Except for the Valientes, the first batch who had their tests Monday were able to hold their first practice Wednesday at the UP Epsilon Chi Gymnasium also in Quezon City.
Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines’ Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan, and Troy Rike began the day at 10 a.m.followed by Gapan Chooks’ Franky Johnson, Chris De Chavez, Karl Dehesa, JR Alabanza, and Chico Laneta at 12 noon, Bacolod’s Alfred Batino, Anton Asistio, Chris Lalata, Robin Rono, and Choi Ignacio closed out the day at 3 p.m.
Before they could get inside the venue, each athlete was given a rapid test with everyone testing negative. Then they signed up for GET Philippines’ contact-tracing app.
“We would like to thank my Alma Mater University of the Philippines for offering their venue to us and, of course, GET Philippines,” said league owner Ronald Mascariñas.
Currently, the league is on pace for an October 2 opening for its curtain-raiser President’s Cup which will be held at Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
But it will still depend on the Inter-agency Task Force the plan will push through.
