Pacquiao not leaving PBA for ABL

MANILA, Philippines – The world’s only eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao may be co-owning the Pacman Powervit Pilipinas Aguilas in the Asean Basketball League, but that won’t mean he's leaving Mahindra (formerly KIA) in the PBA.

Mahindra team manager Eric Pineda said Pacquiao, currently the playing coach of the Enforcers, remains committed to play and handle the Columbian Autocar Corp. franchise in the PBA.

“Very happy nga siya (Pacquiao) sa bagong look ng team, especially with the entry of KG (Canaleta). Malaking bagay siya sa amin,” Pineda told Philstar.com, whose team bowed to GlobalPort, 88-63 in the finals of the five-team pocket tournament organized by Pacquiao himself in General Santos City on Tuesday night.

The Aguilas are in the process of putting up a competitive squad that will be participating in the ABL’s sixth season set to start on Oct. 28.

They will be the lone representative of the Philippines in the regional basketball league after the pullout of Racal Motors recently.

Pineda said Pacquiao’s packed schedule might prevent the Filipino boxing icon from gracing the ABL’s opening ceremonies.

“Hindi pa sigurado (on Pacquiao attending the ABL opening ceremonies),” he said.

For the moment, Pacquiao could possibly join Mahindra in Sydney to play three games against select professional basketball teams from Australia’s NBL as part of its ongoing preparations for the next PBA season.

“Kung matutuloy kami, baka mga three games ang lalaruin namin sa Sydney, Australia ngayong buwan. Sasama si coach Manny dun,” said Pineda.

The Enforcers finished their maiden season in the PBA with a 10-23 record.