Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco. –FIBA BASKETBALL
MANILA, Philippines — Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco wants to meet Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao during their stay in Manila for the Fiba World Cup 2023.
Since the Azzurri landed in Manila on Tuesday, Pozzecco has been expressing his eagerness to meet the eight-division World Champion Pacquiao.
The Italian coach reiterated that he wants the country to organize a meet-up with Pacquiao during his opening statement in the Fiba World Cup introductory press conference on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I want to meet Manny Pacquiao, so organize this kind of meet, please. Thanks,” he quipped.
Pozzecco also expressed his love for the hospitality and love of the Philippines for basketball. But like many, he also has something to say about the traffic in the Metro and even jokingly urged Filipinos not to go out if they are not going to work.
“People from the Philippines, they are so lovely. They love basketball and we feel that they treat us so good. But please, from today, try to stay home and don’t go out [with a] car, so we will not have too much traffic. If you need to go out, go to work. Don’t go out just for fun, please,” he said sharing laughter with reporters.
Italy opens its Group A campaign against Angola on Friday, 4 p.m., at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.