Manny Pacquiao tries to stop Calvin Abueva. PBA IMAGES
Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao dusted off his Mahindra uniform on Wednesday and played in his first PBA game in nearly a year.
Pacquiao, the Mahindra playing-coach, checked into the game at the 2:59 mark of the first quarter with the Enforcer down by four against the Alaska Aces.
“Makakapaglaro ako ngayon kasi nag-adjourn ng maaga so may time ako,” said Pacquiao, who was elected senator in the May elections.
Pacquiao had beaten opponents much bigger than him in the boxing ring, but on the court he’s no match against the country’s best cagers especially when matched up with the caliber of a player in Calvin Abueva.
With the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao on him, Abueva made the most out of the mismatch hitting both of his three-point attempts over the former welterweight champion as the Aces’ slim lead swelled to 10 at one point.
The 37-year-old Pacquiao took and missed a baseline jumper during his three-minute time on the floor.
The game marked Pacquiao’s first since he joined Mahindra in Dubai in a loss to Alaska last November two conferences ago.
As of posting, the Aces are leading the Enforcer, 54-39, at the half.