From the squared ring to Congress to the basketball court? Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao says he will be the player coach of a new team in the upcoming season of Asia's oldest professional basketball league.
On Thursday, news spread like wildfire that Pacquiao, the only man to win titles in eight different divisions, will be coaching and playing for the Kia Motors team that is among the three expansion teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Pacquiao, who also happens to represent the province of Saranggani in the Philippine Congress, confirmed that he had agreed in principle to be the playing coach of the new team. He told Spin.ph: "Yes, I'll play in the PBA this October. I'll be a playing-coach."
He announced the news after he met with the top brass of Columbia Autocar Corporation, the distributor of Kia cars in this basketball-crazy country. "We've already talked. We haven't signed a contract but we've agreed in principle," Pacquiao added.
When Pacquiao indicated his desire to play for Kia Motors in the PBA a few weeks ago, the league said he was welcome but would have to go through the draft. However, there are no clear league rules on being a playing coach which means there's a possibility that Pacquiao can suit up as player-coach without going through the PBA draft.
The boxing champ said he has cleared his plans with his promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao is a known basketball fan who plays the sport as part of his cross-training. He also used to bankroll a minor league basketball team based in his hometown of General Santos City in southern Philippines.
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