Eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has been very vocal about playing basketball as cross-training as part of his preparation regimen for boxing. In fact, he is so much involved with basketball in the basketball-crazy archipelago, it is undeniable. Let?s take a look at some of his major participation in the sport which includes a league that he is backing-up; the soon-to-be launched Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Liga Pilipinas and PBA D-League
Pacquiao used to own a team in the defunct Liga Pilipinas where he also suited up for the team as a player along with his brother Bobby. In 2014, he also fielded a team in the Philippine Basketball Association Development League to promote one of his businesses, the MP Hotel Warriors. Philippine Basketball Association
Aside from being a professional boxer and a legislator, Pacquiao is also listed as a playing coach in the Philippine Basketball Association, the oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second in the world.
In 2014, he made history after being the oldest rookie to be drafted and play in the league at 35-years-old. Although a newcomer in the league, expansion team Kia Sorento immediately drew attention among local hoop fans as they selected him as the 11th overall draft pick and named him as the squad?s head coach. Although most of the time, an interim coach calls the shots for the team on his behalf as he juggles his time with other commitments outside the hardcourt.
Since joining the squad, Pacquiao has only played nine games and averaged 0.8 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.
New involvement in basketball
Pacquiao recently announced the launch of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League where he is one of the key personnel. Aside from discovering and developing the young talents, the league aims to bring high-level competition basketball to the masses.
The league is set to kick-off on September 23 and is open to all Filipino cagers as well as Fil-foreign players provided that they have the necessary documents. Pacquiao, however, made it clear that the program doesn?t aim to compete with other leagues but to give the sport a boost in the country.
The Pacquiao-backed league is will surely give young promising players an opportunity of a lifetime.
