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BULACAN, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s 6 minutes and 46 seconds on the court against Blackwater Elite will likely be the only PBA playing time we’ll see of the KIA Sorento playing coach for a while.
The 8-division boxing champion, who underwhelmed on the court in his Philippine Basketball Association debut but still managed a come-from-behind victory over Blackwater Elite on opening day, declared he will not see action in his team’s next game against Ginebra on Saturday or until after his bout with unbeaten New Yorker Chris Algieri on November 23.
“Hindi ako maglalaro dahil malapit na yung fight,” Pacquiao said after the game on Sunday, October 19 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Philippines. “Baka after nung fight tsaka ako maglalaro ulit.” (I won’t play because my fight is drawing near. Perhaps after my fight I can play again.)
In Pacquiao’s first official PBA game, he started for his team and played for more than half of the opening period, barely scratching the stat sheet with two turnovers and a foul. He never attempted a shot.
(IN PHOTOS: Manny Pacquiao, Kia win PBA debut)
His team, however, managed quite well without him on the floor as LA Revilla sparked a second half comeback to lead KIA back from a double-digit hole to an 80-66 victory over favored Blackwater.
It is yet to be seen whether or not Pacquiao, who is also the Congressman of Sarangani, will make it to KIA’s second outing in Lucena as he is in the thick of training for his upcoming fight.
“Tignan lang natin. Pwedeng pupunta, pwedeng hindi ako makapunta,” he said. (We will see. I might go, I might not go.)
In spite of his absence and busy schedule, Pacquiao is confident his team will be in good hands and will continue to compete.
“Pero okay naman, tiwala naman ako sa assistant coach ko na si Glenn (Capacio). Kaya ko siya kinuha. Actually, siya yung nagplano ng lahat eh.”
He added, “Yung suporta sa team nandyan pa rin pati yung focus namin sa game.”
(It’s okay, I trust my assistant coach Glenn. That’s why I got him. Actually, he planned all of it. My support for the team will always be there as well as our focus on the game.)
Barangay Ginebra opened their own season on a high note as well, defeating Talk ‘N Text 101-81 in the second half of the Sunday’s doubleheader. – Rappler.com
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