Arum says Pacquiao isn’t serious about the PBA

MACAU – Add Bob Arum to the growing list of those who are unenthusiastic about Manny Pacquiao’s aspirations to play for the Philippine Basketball Association.

Arum, who has promoted the 8-division boxing champion Pacquiao for close to a decade, voiced his skepticism about his interest in playing for the 40-year-old basketball league. (READ: Philippine boxing hero Pacquiao seeks to become basketball champ)

“I don’t think that’s serious. He’s a good club player but that’s about it,” said Arum, as he prepared to host Saturday night’s Nonito Donaire Jr vs Simphiwe Vetyeka WBA featherweight title match in Macau.

Pacquiao, who has a full-length basketball court in his General Santos City home and frequently invites PBA players to play with him, has participated in workouts with the still-unnamed Kia expansion team, which is set to debut in the next PBA season in October.

“Even when I was a kid, even before I learnt to box, basketball was my first love,” said Pacquiao. “You create strategies during the game. It is like boxing. When I am in a fight, my mind works and shifts faster. In a split second, I can decide on changing strategies.” 

Pacquiao will likely assume the role of player-coach, a role he has played in barangay league games and other informal contests. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, often limits Pacquiao’s basketball games during training camps because of the prevalence of on-court injuries. 

Pacquiao, 35, would have to submit to the PBA Draft, according to PBA Commissioner Chito Salud, making him the oldest rookie in the league’s 40-year history. 

The October start of the next PBA season would overlap with his training for a November 23 fight which may take place in Macau, with rumors swirling that his opponent will be a fifth showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked him out in their last meeting in 2012. 

Pacquiao would have to choose between defending his WBO welterweight title and helping his squad in the Philippine Cup, the most prestigious conference in the PBA.

Pacquiao is also a congressman in the Sarangani province of the Philippines, which consumes much of his schedule when he isn’t training for a fight.

When asked if he thought Pacquiao’s PBA plans could distract him from training for a fight, Arum said. “We won’t let it be. He’s not going to get injured and he’s not going to fool around with it during the time he’s going to train for his fight and so forth.” – Rappler.com