A COLLEAGUE was at a Parañaque gym recently to check on the tryouts being conducted by eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao for Kia’s PBA team which he hopes to lead as playing coach.
He reported that Pacquiao had played three straight basketball games that day in the gym, marathon-style, but couldn’t really tell if that was part of his regular fitness routine or if he was preparing for his PBA debut this coming October.
“He played with the players who were trying out, many of them familiar faces like Fil-Am Rob Wainright and the towering Mac Andaya,” the scribe said.
Glenn Capacio is expected to assist him in the tryouts soon, but as of last week, Glenn’s transfer from Globalport to Kia as the Pacman’s deputy still had to be finalized, according to Erick Arejola, the PBA governor of Batang Pier.
Of the three new teams in the PBA, only Kia is reported to be holding tryouts. Blackwater and NLEX are still competing in the ongoing D-League and may likely end up fighting for the title.
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Because the NLEX Road Warriors have requested—and were granted—a grace period for the payment of the P100 million franchise fee, many people in the basketball community are now speculating that they may decide not to join the PBA after all.
Kia has paid the franchise fee in full, while Blackwater has worked out an easier mode of payment.
For NLEX it’s not a question of raising the money, it’s finding an option to make their team competitive in the league since their product does not need advertising.
If they don’t find this option, my guess is, they will make a 180-degree turnaround. NLEX was given up to June 7 to pay the franchise fee.
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Out of curiosity, I asked PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial if he had a clue, as of this stage, which PBA team would pick first in next season’s drafting order.
I wanted to determine if this team is the type who would pick Manny Pacquiao in the draft then sell him to Kia.
Marcial said it’s too early to tell.
No, he doesn’t believe any other team apart from Kia will pick the Pacman.
“Would you, if you were the first to draft?” I asked Globalport owner Mikee Romero, who just might find himself in that situation on draft day.
“Ha ha ha ha ha!” was his only reply on SMS.