PBA family toasts Pacman

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA circle, to which Manny Pacquiao belongs as the Kia Sorento’s playing coach, was one with the nation in toasting the Filipino boxing idol in his conquest of Chris Algieri in their Macau fight.

“As his colleagues in the PBA, as his fans, as his countrymen, we cannot be happier,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

“Manny is victorious. Manny is safe. There is nothing more we can ask for. We can’t wait for him to come home to our country and to the PBA,” Salud added.

While traveling from Cagayan de Oro to Binan, Laguna for Sunday’s games, the PBA chieftain and his staff followed the match on text messages by PBA people inside the Cotai Arena in Macau.

“It’s around the fifth round when we touched down in Manila," said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial, among the PBA group flying in from the Cagayan de Oro stop of the Petron Blaze PBA on Tour Saturday night.

“We’re fed with text messages from Macau on the way to Binan,” Marcial added.

During the third quarter of the Talk n Text-Barako Bull match at the Alonte Sports Center in Binan, the PBA fans rejoiced as the game barker announced Pacquiao’s triumph.

PBA board chairman Patrick Gregorio was in great mood even as he arrived late for the Binan games.

“I arrived late as I watched the fight. It’s worth it,” said Gregorio.

“Congratulations to playing coach Manny Pacquiao for the impressive victory. The PBA is excited to welcome him back. I hope he can already play for Kia on Wednesday. Nag-aabang ang buong bayan,” the PBA board chair also said.

Before leaving for Macau, Pacquiao intimated he might be back playing with the Sorento as early as Wednesday if he’s not hurt by Algieri.

Kia tangles with Purefoods at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Pacquiao and the Sorento won their PBA debut with an 80-66 drubbing of fellow PBA newcomer Blackwater on Oct. 19 before a crowd of over 45,000 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

With Pacquiao leaving the team to focus on his preparation for Algieri, the Sorento lost all their next seven games.

Pacquiao, however, is still hopeful they can land a spot in the Philippine Cup playoff stage.

Members of the Kia team were at ringside during the fight.