Philippines, 03 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


?Please don?t harm Manny.?


PhilBoxing.com




TRAINER Freddie Roach has pleaded with opponents to kindly keep Manny Pacquiao out of harm?s way when he debuts with his Kia Motors team in the PBA season opening on Sunday.

It?s final and executory: Roach is allowing Pacquiao to see action for Kia Motors, but only for the opening game against Blackwater.

?But please don?t harm Manny, ? Roach was quoted yesterday as pleading by veteran sportswriter Eddie Alinea of philboxing.com.

**

Well, if it were not basketball, Roach would?ve been sliced raw by critics for begging for the impossible, harming each other being the main job of protagonists in Pacquiao?s main calling.
Roach honestly feels it won?t be asking too much to give Pacquiao an unusual preference on Sunday.

?I know how tough, even rough, basketball games here are. All I beg his would-be rivals is to please take care of Manny,? Roach said.

How?

?You can block his shots, steal the ball away, but take care not to hurt him if you treasure him as your boxing icon,? Roach explained.

**

Roach had previously commented Pacquiao was not exactly cut out for basketball.

After he arrived in the country middle of last week, Roach said he would not give Pacquiao permission to play because of the PBA opening?s proximity to his prized pupil?s defense of his WBO welterweight crown against tall Chris Algieri in Macau on Nov. 23.

The trainer eventually relented saying ?I just can?t stop him completely because he loves basketball so much.?

Of course, Roach was evidently swayed into giving Pacquiao a one-game pass (to play) after the eight-division world title winner displayed terrific form in his first session with the American mentor in General Santos City.

**

Anyway, while Roach has been very accomodating, he could not predict or comment on what quality of game Pacquiao will be able to display at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan come Sunday.

No, Roach was not saying Pacquiao diehards should be prepared to be disappointed.

But a sneak review by an objective foreign observer could provide some idea on what to expect from Pacquiao , the basketball player, on Sunday.

**

Nick Schwartz, reporting for USA Today, noted that the Kia Motors playing coach ?did not look comfortable handling the ball? as he had a single point and two turnovers in a ten-minute stint for Kia in a pre-season game in Binan, Laguna the other week.

Will Pacquiao turn instantly sharp and super in his formal PBA debut?

Even Kia Motors people can?t commit while explaining that, after all, Pacquiao?s main chore ?is to lead and inspire his team.?

And help sell countless Kia Sorentos?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.