Moved to suspend proceedings in the Philippine Cup beginning October 30 on the recommendation of the IATF-EID Technical Working Group and the DOH Advisory Group of Experts to give time to craft new bubble protocols, the PBA on Friday announced in a statement the indefinite suspension of all games.

The PBA acknowledged its responsibility to abide by the latest directives from the government so as to ensure the health and safety of all participants in the PBA bubble at Clark City.

“These additional protocols from health experts are put in place to ensure the integrity of the bubble,” part of the PBA statement.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, the league lay emphasis on the health and safety of the 350 participants in the venue as its top priority. The PBA promised to follow all the new guidelines set by the IATF.

Among the latest guidelines made by the agency include the completion of the 10-day isolation of Blackwater player from the date of swabbing before resuming the games, as well as the completion of a 14-day quarantine and testing before entering the bubble for all those who will test positive moving forward.

Likewise, an independent marshal shall also be appointed to oversee and ensure compliance with health and safety protocols as recommended by the DILG.

As an additional safety measure and in coordination with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the PBA will be assigned a separate temporary quarantine facility within the Clark Freeport Zone.

“We would like to reiterate that the PBA bubble has not been breached, but we must always strengthen our protocols in consultation with the IATF and NTF to ensure the safety of everyone in the bubble.”

Meanwhile, before the league’s continuance on November 3, the PBA announced all members of the 12 league teams came out negative in the latest round of RT-PCR testing done by the league.

Shortly after the teams were tested, the league announced the postponement of the games on Friday in compliance with additional protocols endorsed by the IATF.

The test results came approximately after the new schedule of the Philippine Cup elimination round was released on Sunday.

The testing result of Meralco was the last to be revealed after all teams underwent the third round of the testing cycle over the week.

Next to be tested for a third time this week are PBA staff and personnel, including game officials.

Regular RT-PCR testing for all 12 teams is scheduled by November 9.