Dubai: Manny Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight division world champion, made his competitive professional basketball debut on Sunday, just a month before he’s due to defend his WBO welterweight crown against Chris Algieri.
The 35-year-old Filipino was named as a starter in Kia Sorento’s 80-66 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup win over Blackwater Elite at the 50,000-capacity Philippine Arena in Bulucan.
But he was substituted after seven minutes with his team trailing by nine points having committed just two turnovers and a foul, and was forced to watch the rest of the match from the bench.
Pacquiao joined Kia as a player-coach in June and was drafted 11th overall in the team, which is owned by his friend Jose Alvarez.
He had also played in a pre-season friendly earlier this month, finishing with one point and two turnovers in a ten-minute stint during an 88-77 defeat against Blackwater in Binan.
However, the 1.69-metre (5ft 6in) shooting guard — who is also a congressman for the Philippine province of Sarangani — said he probably wouldn’t get back on the court before his November 22 bout with unbeaten American junior welterweight champion Algieri.
“After the fight I should be able to play properly,” he told reporters courtside. Asked if he was disappointed not to score, let alone shoot, on his competitive debut, he replied: “It doesn’t matter. What is important is that the team won.”
Pacquiao’s move into basketball has led to criticism in some quarters, with many suggesting he’s no longer concentrating fully on his boxing career. But Pacquiao’s boxing coach Freddie Roach has given the move his blessing, provided his prize-fighter doesn’t get injured before the Algieri fight.
“He tells me he’s going to be very careful and not get into dangerous spots, and that he’s going to do more coaching than playing,” said Roach.
“He’s so far ahead of schedule right now that I actually want him to take a day off, so this is not going to kill us. It’s going to help us, I think.”
Kia owner Alvarez was forced to hit back at critics of Pacquiao’s basketball ability, saying those who say he has no future in the sport will be forced to “eat their own words.”
“Why should I be afraid of negative comments when I can easily turn them into positives,” said Alvarez. “Manny is a really good basketball player, it’s just, as of now, his attentions have been divided.
“I’ve watched him play for many years and he is a really good three-point shooter.”
