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MPBL: Basilan Steel leaves Subic, as Chooks, Pacquiao shoulder hotel costs

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/03/21/20210321-basilan-steel-mpbl.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>The Basilan Steel delegation left Subic on Saturday. <em>Handout photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- The Basilan Steel on Saturday finally exited the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) bubble in Subic, after staying at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel for the last 12 days.</p><p>Nine members of the team stayed at the hotel while they waited for the result of their third RT-PCR test. The team arrived in Subic last March 8, expecting to play in a do-or-die game against Davao Occidental for a spot in the MPBL Lakan Cup Finals.</p><p>However, they had to stay in the quarantine hotel before entering the main bubble itself. Unfortunately for the team, two of their players tested positive for COVID-19, who were then sent back to their respective provinces.</p><p>The league and Basilan agreed to another test that would be administered on March 15. If one member tests positive, they have to forfeit their win-or-go-home game vs Davao Occidental as the team still had contact with each other inside Peninsular.</p><p>Four more members of the Basilan delegation tested positive, giving Davao Occidental the Finals spot.</p><p>Basilan team owner Hegem Furigay on Thursday revealed on social media that their prolonged stay at the quarantine hotel has been eating their operational expenses. He demanded a refund of their expenses and expressed anger at how they were treated by the league.</p><p>On Sunday, the league announced that its sponsor, Chooks-to-Go, and founder Senator Manny Pacquiao have come together to help Basilan Steel.</p><p>&quot;At the end of the day, Councilor Hegem Furigay and Basilan are still our partners in the league who brought us countless memories during the Lakan season. It&#x27;s unfortunate that they had to forfeit their game but it is the protocols given to the league by the Department of Health,&quot; said Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas.</p><p>&quot;For our part, as a staunch partner and sponsor of the MPBL, me and Senator Manny are shouldering the cost of Basilan&#x27;s stay in Subic Bay Peninsular.&quot;</p><p>&quot;We at the MPBL would like to thank Ronald for helping Basilan. This is not part of their responsibilities as our sponsor but he still helped us out. Chooks-to-Go is definitely not just a sponsor in our league but also our partner,&quot; said Pacquiao.</p><p>&quot;To Basilan, I hope this shows that the MPBL, Chooks-to-Go, and I are committed to each team despite the situation given to us.&quot;</p><p>On Facebook, Basilan coach Jerson Cabiltes also criticized the MPBL, saying that the league &quot;did not wait for us&quot; even after a year-long delay of the playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/jerson.cabiltes/posts/10158836467996855" data-width="auto"> </div>

<p>The Basilan Steel on Saturday finally exited the MPBL bubble in Subic, after staying at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel for the last 12 days.</p>

The Basilan Steel on Saturday finally exited the MPBL bubble in Subic, after staying at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel for the last 12 days.