The woes of Perlas Spikers appears unending that after spending more than 10 days under isolation during the month – long bubble training in Baguio last month due to Covid-19 infection of seven of its players and a coach, another fell victim to the virus that has prompted organizers of the Philippine Volleyball League to have their games suspended.
The team was supposed to start their bid in the first ever out of town bubble tournament under the newly formed Philippine National Volleyball Federation against Cignal HD Spikers during the league’s opening last Saturday, but one of their members tested positive for Covid-19.
The players and coaching staff have been placed under quarantine awaiting result of the RT-PCR test on the fifth day since their last test. All delegates of the 10 team PVL and officials had their test done prior the start of the tournament at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
“Pending the results (of their tests), the scheduled games of Perlas have been postponed,” sad Ricky Palou, president of PVL’s organizing Sports Vision Management Group, Inc.
Cignal players, meanwhile, tied a white ribbon on their hair to show support for Perlas.
“Thank you, Cignal Team. Good Luck!! Fighting!,” Perlas team captain Jem Ferrer wrote on her Facebook wall.
“Love love Jem! Kayo din. Lagi kayo kasama sa prayers namin. Mamamaya para sa inyo ribbon namin (Love love Jem! You also. You are always in our prayers. Later, the ribbon (we will wear) will be for you),” wrote star Rachel Daquis and the Cignal squad.
Last June 25, Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that members of the team tested positive for Covid-19 and one of the three clustering that saw surge of infection in the city, the others are police trainees at the Baguio Teachers Camp and call center agents at Camp John Hay.
The team trained at the Saint Vincent Gym and were housed in an apartment at Wagner Road where an outdoor volleyball court can be used also for their training.
The team wrapped up their training here Monday after more than 10-days of isolation and quarantine when half of the 16 members contracted the virus.
Perlas spokesperson AJ Perartilla said eight of their members contracted the virus during their training at the Saint Vincent gym which they rented for their bubble training that started last June 1 as they try to build a competitive form in time for the PVL opening in Laoag City.
She said that the eight exhibited non to mild symptoms that prompted isolation at a facility here, while those who tested negative stayed at the apartments they rented for their supposed month-long training.
“We just need to get to Laoag by the 12th or 13th,” she earlier told RNG Luzon, while adding that they were here just to train and no time to go sight-seeing.
The team chose Baguio “because they have all the facilities available for us to prepare properly for the upcoming conference,” Perlas owner Charo Soriano was quoted as saying in a published news earlier.
Prior their arrival, the members of the team underwent RT-PCR tests and awaited the result before they started their training.
As of this writing, Cherry Tiggo 7 Pro Crossovers, starring the twin towers Jaja and Dindin Santiago lead the league with a two wins, zero loss card, three time champion Creamline Cool Smashers led by Alyssa Valdez and beauty queen Michelle Gumabao has a 1-1 slate along with Petro Gazz Angels. Mikka Reyes and Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors bounced back from an opening loss to Creamline to sit at fourth spot with a 1-1 card.
Black Mamba Army Lady Troopers (0-1), PLDT Home FBR Power Hitters (0-2), Cignal HD Spikers (0-1) are the other teams that have started their quests but have yet to win, while BaliPure Purest Water Defenders, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Perlas have yet to start their bid.
