Kia playing coach Pacquiao arrives late, not likely to play vs Blackwater

Kia coach Manny Pacquiao (middle). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—From the looks of it, Kia playing coach Manny Pacquiao won’t play against Blackwater on Saturday.

Pacquiao, who usually arrives at the venue way before game time and participates in the pre-game shootaround, came in just as the game had tipped off.

Some members of the team said heavy traffic was the reason for the Sarangani representative’s tardiness.

The WBO welterweight champion arrived in a semi-formal attire. He stopped by his team’s empty dugout before showing up on the court where he was welcomed by loud cheers from fans, some of whom were at the San Juan Arena three hours early for the scheduled 5 p.m. tiff.

READ: Fans brave heat for free PBA tickets to see Pacquiao, Kia-Blackwater tiff

The PBA opened the gallery section of the venue for the first 2,000 people as a sendoff to Pacquiao, who is set to continue his training camp in the US for his May 2 showdown with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Last Wednesday, Pacquiao played close to seven minutes in Kia’s 106-103 shocker over Talk ‘N Text.

Blackwater is currently ahead of Kia, 56-42, at the half as of posting time.