KIA Sorento team manager Eric Pineda revealed that Filipino boxing sensation and now the ballclub?s playing-coach Manny Pacquiao will indeed play when they make their PBA debut next month.
According to Pineda, the PBA has already scheduled KIA to play on opening day against fellow newcomer Blackwater Sports set on Oct. 19 at a venue to be announced.
?Gusto niya kasi first game ng KIA against Blackwater. He will coach and he will play. He has confirmed already and committed with Commissioner (Chito) Salud that he will play,? said Pineda.
Pacquiao returns home today from the United States, where he recently completed a 12-day promotional tour for his upcoming 12-round welterweight title bout opposite New Yorker Chris Algieri on Nov. 23 in Macau.
Pineda said Pacquiao will immediately handle KIA?s practice session.
Pineda said KIA just had a meaningful start regarding their own training camp when they surprised crowd favorite Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel in a tuneup game last Friday at the CCF Gym in Ortigas.
?Buo na ?yung team namin. We had our first tune-up against Ginebra. Fortunately, nanalo kami. First game of the team natapat kami Ginebra though siyempre wala sila (LA) Tenorio and Japeth (Aguilar). But still, it?s a good confidence-booster for my players because most of them are young,? said Pineda.
Journeyman and former Ginebra player Reil Cervantes led KIA to a 73-71 victory over the Gin Kings. It was both teams? first tune-up session of the off season.
Cervantes got ample support from former Global Port point guard LA Revilla, who had 15 markers.
Ginebra, meanwhile, was led by incoming sophomore Greg Slaughter with 23 points, while new recruit Joseph Yeo added 11.
