Pacquiao has to go through PBA Rookie draft

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Even a boxing legend will still need his name to be called in the rookie draft if he wants to join Asia’s oldest pay-for-play basketball league.

If Manny Pacquiao decides to pursue his plans of joining the Philippine Basketball Association, he is required to enter the annual PBA draft like the rest of the aspirants.

“He will be a welcome addition to the PBA but he has
to undergo the process,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud on Thursday.

Pacquiao, after reclaiming his WBO welterweight title from Timothy Bradley, aired his plans and even revealed the jersey number 17 he has picked out.

“I might play in the PBA with Kia,” Pacquiao told Filipino sportswriters who were in Los Angeles for his fight. KIA Motors is one of the three expansion teams in the league.

A known basketball fanatic, Pacquiao has been hooping nightly during his training camp especially this one against Bradley.

If he does get picked, the fighting congressman will be the oldest rookie to ever play in the PBA at 35 years old and among the shortest at five-foot-six and half.

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