MANILA, Philippines – With the penultimate pick, the KIA Motors selected Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.
COACH Pacquiao and PBA commissioner Salud seal KIA’s league debut with a handshake as CAC chair and PalawanGov. Jose “Pepito”Alvarez and president Ginia Domingo look on. FILE PHOTO
And with their first pick in the 3rd round, they selected the boxer’s Cebuano cousin Rene.
Making sure that their coach would not go anywhere, KIA Motors selected the eight-division World Champion with the 11th pick in the Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft 2014 Sunday afternoon at Robinson’s Manila.
Pacquiao was the first pick of the KIA in the draft, the team that he would also coach.
KIA made it official that Pacquiao would be the lone playing-coach in the PBA with the boxer adding another occupation to his thick résumé.
In a previous interview, Ginia Domingo, KIA Philippines President, said that the Sarangani representative would be their first pick.
“He was always our first priority, he’s our coach,” Domingo said.
She hoped that Pacquiao would influence his players with his mentality and professionalism once the season starts.
“I hope that his work ethic and star power reflects on them,” Domingo said. “They should always give their 100 percent when they are with their coach.”
In the same draft, KIA took Rene Pacquiao with the 25th pick.
A 6-foot-4 big man from powerhouse Southwestern University of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated, the younger Pacquiao is hard-nosed player who would play for his cousin.
Pacquiao could not make it to the draft as he is on a promotional tour for his fight against Chris Algieri in November.
RELATED STORIES