Pacquiao back for KIA Sorento Wednesday vs P’foods

Just three days after putting on a boxing clinic in whipping Chris Algieri in Macau, Manny Pacquiao resumes his pro basketball career today for a KIA Motors side that is gasping for air in the PBA Philippine Cup.

After retaining his World Boxing Organization welterweight title at Cotai Arena last Sunday, Pacquiao will play his second PBA game at Ynares Center in Antipolo when the Sorento battle defending champion Purefoods, according to the ring superstar’s business manager, Eric Pineda.

The Sorento, who are seeking to snap out of an eight-game losing spell and fan their flickering hopes of advancing past the elimination round, need a confidence boost against the Star Hotshots in the 7 p.m. game.

Pacquiao’s first outing against another rookie squad, Blackwater, in front of more than 52,000 fans at Philippine Arena last Oct. 19 was a forgettable one. He wound up scoreless and had two turnovers in seven minutes of action. The Sorento, though, rallied to beat the Elite, 80-66. Musong R. Castillo