Pacquiao returns to PBA, will suit up versus Purefoods

Jane Bracher

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Pacquiao returns to PBA, will suit up versus Purefoods
There is barely any rest for Pacquiao who will be back with his team just 3 days after his victory last Sunday, November 23 in Macau

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Fresh off his win versus Chris Algieri, playing coach Manny Pacquiao will be back on the hardcourt and will suit up for his PBA team KIA Sorento when they go up against defending Grand Slam champions Purefoods Star Hotshots on Wednesday, November 26, according to KIA team manager Eric Pineda via PBA Media Bureau Chief Willie Marcial.

Pineda said Pacquiao will see action for about 5 to 6 minutes and he intends to suit up for KIA’s remaining elimination games in a race to make it to the playoffs of the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup.

“Not so long, siguro mga (perhaps) 5 or 6 minutes,” Pineda told Rappler in a phone interview. “He knows the importance of winning at least two of our last 3 games so we can be part of the quarterfinal teams.”

Even if Pacquiao plays in KIA’s remaining games, Pineda said commitments will likely force Pacquiao to coach remotely for the team’s practices.

“Hopefully (he’ll be at practice), but siyempre maraming commitment si Congressman. Baka puro remote pa lang siguro.” (Hopefully, but of course the Congressman has plenty of commitments. He might just coach remotely.)

KIA’s last few assignments aside from Purefoods are the Meralco Bolts and the NLEX Road Warriors.

KIA is coming in to Wednesday’s game as extreme underdogs against the 4-time champions. But Pineda hopes an upset is in the cards for them.

“It’s going to be a difficult task but we can always pull a surprise.”

Pineda also shared that Pacquiao is looking forward to his coaching battle with 18-time PBA champion coach Tim Cone.

“I think he would be proud,” Pineda said. “Idol din naman niya si Tim Cone (Tim Cone is his idol). It’s a big honor for him to battle against Tim Cone.”

There is barely any rest for Pacquiao who will be back with his team just 3 days after his victory last Sunday, November 23 in Macau. But Pineda is confident Pacquiao is in top physical shape for a basketball game.

“There was hardly any injury he sustained in the fight,” Pineda said.

Pacquiao coached and played for his team on opening day of the PBA’s 40th season on October 19 where he scored his first win as playing coach at the expense of fellow expansion team Blackwater Elite.

(IN PHOTOS: Manny Pacquiao, KIA win PBA debut)

The Congressman of Sarangani left his team in the hands of assistant coach Glenn Capacio as Pacquiao concentrated on his preparations leading up to his fight.

KIA has since been on a 7-game losing skid.

Despite the string of losses, Pacquiao still rewarded his team as he reportedly flew them to Macau to watch his bout.

The 35-year old boxer dominated and defeated New Yorker Algieri via unanimous decision to retain his WBO welterweight title. 

Marcial added the PBA will pay tribute to the boxing champion in his return. — Rappler.com

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