Manny Pacquiao PBA appreciation with PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud and Antipolo City Mayor Junjun Ynares. PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio / FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Kia Carnival playing-coach and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is set to make his return to the PBA on Sunday against Barako Bull at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, according to team manager Eric Pineda.
Kia hinted of Pacquiao’s comeback after it activated the current WBO welterweight champion in the lineup — replacing its leading scorer Reil Cervantes.
Cervantes, who is averaging close to 17 points per game, is now under the team’s reserved/injured list due to a sprained ankle.
The 36-year-old Pacquiao made only three appearances and played just twice in the possible 14 games for Kia in the Philippine Cup. The Carnival went 1-10 last conference.
Kia is currently 1-1 in the Commissioner’s Cup after taking down title contender San Miguel Beer last Wednesday and will be targeting its first back-to-back wins against Barako Bull.
But the Carnival are expected to have their hands full against the Energy, who have emerged as the early surprise team this conference at 2-0. Assistant coach Chito Victolero called the shots in Pacquiao’s place.
Pacquiao arrived here after a hectic three-week schedule that brought him to Los Angeles and New York to promote his documentary, Miami where he judged the Miss Universe pageant and a dinner with Prince Harry in London. He also attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
Pacquiao also met with fellow boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the Sarangani Representative’s hotel suite in Miami to talk about a possible May 2-bout after the two had a chance meeting at an NBA game earlier.
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