A number of PBA teams took the court at the Angeles Foundation University as preparation for the season reboot in the semi-bubble in Clark, Pampanga got underway.

The first to arrive in the bubble and undergo swab testing – Magnolia, Phoenix, Meralco, TNT, and Terra Firma (formerly Columbian) – kicked off the resumption of practice on Thursday, October 1.

For the first time in months, teams will participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages as they have less than two weeks to gear up for the Philippine Cup, which restarts on October 11.

The other 7 PBA teams – San Miguel, Alaska, Rain or Shine, Barangay Ginebra, NorthPort, NLEX, and Blackwater – also hope to practice by Friday once coronavirus tests results turn out negative.

Unlike the NBA, the PBA adopted a semi-bubble setting as the games will be played at the AUF, a 10-minute drive from the Quest Hotel, where all 12 teams are staying.

Strict protocols are followed inside the bubble, including the regular disinfection of the playing court.

For practices, the courts are sanitized 30 minutes before the training session of each PBA team.

Also, players who are on the bench are required to wear masks, while unnecessary physical contact like high fives and hugging are discouraged. (READ: Wearing masks required on bench in PBA bubble)

The compressed Philippine Cup will run for at least two months, with two games being played daily, as the PBA looks to crown a champion by the second week of December. – Rappler.com