Celtic pride on Pacquiao fight night?
By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:01:00 06/29/2008
LAS VEGAS -- MANNY Pacquiao picked the Boston Celtics to win the NBA title -- and they did.
On Saturday (Sunday in Manila), the Celtics are going to honor the World Boxing Council super featherweight champion with their presence when the Filipino ring icon takes a crack at David Diaz’s WBC lightweight title at the Mandalay Bay Events Center here.
The attendance of the Celtics, who dumped the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6, 131-92, to clinch the series, 4-2, was confirmed by Winchell Campos, a member of Pacquiao’s staff.
According to Campos, 16 tickets were provided for the Celtics, who ended a 22-year title drought under the mentorship of Doc Rivers.
Pacquiao, who owns the Pacman Warriors in the National Basketball League back home, is an ardent Celtics fans.
He told journalists how he predicted the Celtics would win the NBA Finals behind Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
The Celtics’ 17th NBA title brought back memories of their triumphs in the ’80s behind Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.
The Celtics won’t be the only guests of Pacquiao.
Several Filipino personalities were already spotted during the weigh-in, including House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Environment Sec. Lito Atienza, and former Ilocos Gov. Chavit Singson, a longtime friend.
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