Pacquiao to join PBA Draft

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has signified his intention to join the PBA Draft this August.

This is on top of already being head coach for Kia Motors, one of the new franchises set to join the country’s premier professional basketball league.

Pacquiao made the declaration during the opening of the PLDT-ABAP National Open Championship in Digos City, wherein the fighting congressman was the keynote speaker and guest of honor.

Sun Star-Cebu first reported about Pacquiao’s decision to throw his name into the annual rookie draft, which is slated on August 24.

“Magpa-draft ako this coming August. Then mag-playing coach ako sa Kia Motors,” he declared.

Kia, NLEX and Blackwater Sports are the three new teams approved by the PBA board to join the league.

Pacquiao’s love affair with basketball has been documented, as the boxer is often reported to participate in scrimmages. The WBO welterweight champion even credits the sport as his way of staying in shape in-between fights.

But playing in pick-up games is very different from seeing action in the PBA, where the country’s best cagers gather to test their mettle against each other in competitive outings.

Pacquiao, for his part, remains undeterred by criticisms over his basketball skills and whether he can keep up with PBA players.

“Bale wala sa ’kin yon (That’s nothing to me),” he said.

Pacquiao outpointed Timothy Bradley last April to regain the title, and is scheduled to return to the ring in November.

The 2014 PBA Draft will be held at Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.