CHICAGO -- It took months in the making, but like most well-laid plans, this one turned out to be a winner.
Manny Pacquiao has swapped autographed items with yet another NBA star, this time with Anthony Davis, the 6-foot-10 All-Star center for the New Orleans Pelicans who averaged a beastly 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game last regular season.
The hook up began last April 1 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Moments before the Pelicans gave the Lakes a 113-92 licking, I met with Pelicans GM Dell Demps at the media dining room where the plan was hatched.
A couple of weeks later, Demps, a former NBA player (Spurs, Magic, Warriors) who also had a brief but stellar PBA stint in 1992, sent via FedEx a signed Davis jersey. I then took the item to Manny's palatial house in L.A. two days after I returned from Las Vegas to cover the May 2 Pacquiao-Mayweahter fight.
Unfortunately, Pacquiao was nursing a shoulder injury that required a sling. Obviously, he couldn't sign a boxing glove for Davis.
A couple of weeks ago, his hurt shoulder now feeling much better, the People's Champ fulfilled his end of the bargain and scribbled his famous name to a pair of Everlast gloves which I will deliver to Davis when the 2015-16 NBA season unfolds.
Former MVP Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and reigning MVP Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors are two other big names who have sent Pacquiao signed jerseys.
And given Manny's love for the NBA and given popularity among NBA players, that list will only get longer. (HDS)
P.S. Special thanks to Wendell Rupert Alinea for the photos and for following through with the fighting congressman about the Davis' gloves.
Collage: Rep. Manny Pacquiao shows off the signed jersey given to him by New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis. Photos also shows the People's champ signing a boxing glove for Davis. (PHOTOS by Wendell Rupert Alinea)
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Homer D. Sayson.