MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) granted Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 a provisional license for its 2020 season to proceed.
League owner Ronald Mascariñas announced the development on Monday after it decided to shift into a full bubble for the season-opening President's Cup.
"We are grateful for the Inter-Agency Task Force composed of the Games and Amusements Board, Department of Health, and Philippine Sports Commission for giving us the clearance to hold our bubble," Mascariñas said.
Chooks 3x3 initially opted for a "semi-bubble" that will see the 12 participating teams travel back and forth from Metro Manila to the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba.
However, the IATF-EID turned down the proposed tournament style, prompting the league to turn it into a full bubble.
The veto also forced Chooks 3x3 to postpone its supposed Oct. 2 start.
The teams will now have to stay inside the bubble for 15 days during the latter part of October.
The President's Cup will now begin on Oct. 21.
The first conference of the season will have four regular legs with the other three happening on Oct. 23, 25, and 27 and the grand finals happening on Oct. 30.
A preseason tournament will commence on Oct. 19.
The teams will leave for Calamba on Oct. 14 and 15, but they first have to undergo a six-day home quarantine period after they get swab tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Only those negative of Covid-19 can join the Calamba bubble.
At the conclusion of the tournament, the teams will leave Inspire on Oct. 31 and will quickly undergo a 14-day home quarantine once the players make their way back home.
Chooks 3x3 is using this tournament to help Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol prepare for the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) next year.
Munzon and Pasaol, who are part of heavy favorite Zamboanga City-Family's Brand Sardines, are members of the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team that will compete in the OQT in Austria.
"We are doing this to help our national team stay competitive before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year. They will later on give glory to this country," Mascariñas said. (PNA)
