Kapampangan Yeng Guiao Pushes for Clark as Bubble Venue for PBA

When we think of Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, we think about those hotels, Duty-Free shops, and for those who have seen it, Fontana Water Park. 

In 2019, Clark became one of the hosting sites of the 30th Southeast (SEA) Games when the New Clark City hosted various competitions such as softball, baseball, archery, among others. It's also home to the New Clark City Athletics Stadium that can hold up to 20,000 spectators. For many observers, Clark has left a lasting mark on the hosting of the SEA Games. 

The good news is: Clark is also being eyed as a possible venue for a bubble. 

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is on a lookout for the venue where it hopes to replicate what the National Basketball Association (NBA) has done successfully (so far) in Orlando and Clark is among the options. Incidentally, Clark has been an option for Walt Disney to build the next extension of Mickey Mouse's house here in the Philippines. Fortunately, one PBA coach who is very much familiar with the area, has made a pitch. 

With the PBA targetting an October restart of the Philippine Cup, NLEX Road Warriors Head Coach Yeng Guiao has pushed for Clark to be a bubble venue for the PBA as he pointed out three important things. 

First, the availability of hotel rooms that can hold all 12 PBA teams plus league personnel and media men who will cover the games. “First, we have rooms. The accommodation by hotels in Clark that can entail 12 teams. So that’s about 400 to 500 people," he said. 

Guiao, a former congressman as well as a former vice governor of Pampanga, also pointed out that "Clark is gated. It is self-contained so safety and health protocols can be easily implemented there,"

The third point Guiao made when he made the pitch for Clark to become PBA's bubble home is perhaps the most important one: "It’s close to Manila and other places as well. In case one of the players has a family emergency, they can easily get out of the bubble so it’s a factor,"

In the end, Guiao admitted that the chances of Clark being chosen as the bubble venue will be up to the league's Board of Governors, and to Commissioner Willie Marcial, 

Photo is from Bases Conversion and Development Authority