More jeers than cheers for cager Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao of Kia Sorento at the Philippine Arena. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — There were 52,612 people during the opening of the PBA’s 40th Season at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, on Sunday afternoon and they were either cheering or jeering boxing icon Manny Pacquiao every time he touched the ball.

People wanted to see if the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao has what it takes to play professional basketball and many of them were convinced the Sarangani congressman shouldn’t be there.

“Lumabas ka na d’yan (Get off the court). Pabayaan mo maglaro ‘yung mga totoong players (Let the real players play),” the Inquirer overheard fans when it was clear that his lightning-quick reflexes in the ring were not suitable for the hardcourt.

KIA Motors, the newcomer which he also coaches, trailed in the early going after he started in one of the two guard spots.

His two successive turnovers allowed Blackwater Elite to break away and take a 34-25 lead at the half.

LA Revilla, the former La Salle guard, became the third point guard to come off the bench for the Sorento because Pacquiao played. He would go on to become the hero by shooting 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter to key KIA’s breakaway for an 80-66 win.

But Pacquiao had an excuse for his lackluster debut: “Alanganin ako, kasi may fight ako (I was tentative because of my coming fight),” Pacquiao said when asked to evaluate his performance.

He was scoreless and had two errors in 6 minutes and 49 seconds on the floor.

“But I’m fine. I’m used to playing in leagues in the provinces.”

Pacquiao said his next appearance for KIA will be after his defense of the WBO welterweight title against American Chris Algieri on Nov. 23 in Macau.

Pacquiao, the boxer, will definitely unite the country once again in that fight, but Pacquiao, the cager, will have a lot of catching up to do to impress Filipino basketball fans.