DISPERSAL drafts in the PBA never generated much attention and media interest in the past until world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao got involved in the process.
The event must have registered a record attendance last Friday because everybody thought Pacquiao would be there to personally handpick his choices for KIA.
The list of draftees had been released to the two expansion teams exactly a week before the actual dispersal draft to give them time to research and assess their options.
“Manny had the chance to study the list and discuss his evaluation with our coaching staff. He had planned on being with us here today, but his wife Jinkee got sick and he had to stay with her,” said KIA team manager Eric Pineda.
PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial added that the Pacman was hoping Jinkee would be better by the time the draft was held but she woke up still running a temperature.
Eric assured us that Manny knows his basketball.
Before boxing, basketball was his passion. To him, “boxing is business,” said Pineda.
Pineda said they chose their players on the basis of skills, mental toughness, hardcourt smarts and heart.
“Basketball savvy and toughness are the basic traits we look for in our players. And they will have to keep up with Manny’s training and match his discipline,” Pineda said.
Both KIA and Blackwater plan to start their regular practice now that they have a roster.
Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy said he is happy with his team’s acquisition, considering they got almost all the players they wanted.
“We will only have to wait for the Rookie Draft on Aug. 24 to complete the cast. Coach Leo (Isaac) feels we can be competitive with the players we got.”
Even the distribution of free agents between the two expansion teams was settled after the dispersal draft that day, according to Sy.