MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) believe that the referee initially tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a recent swab test could actually be a false positive case.
This after the game official yielded a negative result in an antigen testing conducted on Wednesday.
“A referee of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup being held in Clark who was earlier reported to be a ‘suspect case’ may be a case of false positive after the conduct of the antigen testing Wednesday afternoon yielded negative on the presence of Covid-19 virus,” read a joint statement from the three organizations.
The referee was immediately brought to the New Clark City Athlete’s Village in Capas for the antigen testing.
Despite the negative result, the official, according to the PBA, BCDA, and CDC, will remain in the Athlete’s Village for his 14-day quarantine.
Another reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test will be done on him to confirm the negative antigen result.
On the other hand, the statement clarified that everyone has been strictly adhering to the protocols set for the ongoing bubble in Angeles.
“The integrity of the bubble has not been compromised. Protocols have not been breached,” it added.
Meanwhile, former Pampanga vice governor Yeng Guiao lauded the PBA, CDC, and BCDA on the conduct of the season bubble despite the suspected Covid-19 case.
“They’ve done a great job from the very beginning,” Guiao, the current NLEX head coach, said following his team’s breakthrough win in the bubble, a 102-88 rout of NorthPort at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
“So far, I have nothing but praises on how Clark, BCDA, and the PBA itself have been conducting this tournament,” he added.
In particular, Guiao commended the quick response on the suspected Covid-19 case.
“The mere fact that we’re still going strong–that right away, they were able to act and mitigate the situation–is also a testimony to how they manage this conference,” he said.
Guiao played a key role in making the Angeles bubble possible.
Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena made 25 points on 7-of-10 field goals and 10-of-10 free throws as the Road Warriors stifled the Batang Pier for most of the fourth quarter for their first win of the season. (PNA)