Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial is asking everyone inside the “bubble” at the Clark Freezone to stay vigilant after one game official tested positive for Covid-19.

Marcial said the referee’s situation may be a case of false positive after the antigen testing that was done on Wednesday afternoon yielded negative for the presence of Covid-19 virus. Nevertheless, the affable official urged everyone, from players to coaches to staff and media, to be wary of their activities while they are at the Quest Hotel and the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center.

“I told the players, staff, referees and table officials that this is a wake-up call for us to not relax,” said Marcial in a press conference. “We may be inside a bubble but still, we need to follow all the protocols.”

The league found itself in a tricky situation on Wednesday after it found out that a referee tested positive for the dreaded disease that has caused a global pandemic. The said official has since been isolated at the New Clark City Athletes’ Village in Capas, Tarlac.

“We need to be careful. Just because we’re in a bubble does not mean we should relax. I’ve noticed that when eating, people are all bunched together. This time, I will be the one to personally police them,” added Marcial. (JNP)