Pacquiao to be more visible on Mahindra bench next season

MANILA, Philippines – With Manny Pacquiao’s next fight still seven months away, expect the world’s only eight-division boxing champion to take a more active role with the Mahindra Enforcers (formerly KIA) when the PBA kicks off its 41st season on Oct. 18.

Mahindra assistant coach Chito Victolero said Pacquiao already made known his intention to coach the Enforcers in as many games possible in the Philippine Cup, the PBA’s season-opening conference.

“Lagi naman nakatutok si boss Manny sa team (in the offseason) so medyo madalas natin siya makikita sa game at sa venue and siguro, kahit di siya makalaro, at least nandun siya to guide our team,” Victolero told Philstar.com on Tuesday, before the team’s practice at Clover Leaf in Guadalupe, Makati.

The soft-spoken Mahindra lead assistant coach explained that Pacquiao already gave the coaching staff some defensive tactics and workouts to help their rookies adjust quickly to the PBA style of play.

“Nagsasabi rin siya (Pacquiao) kung ano ang gusto niyang makita sa team kaya iyun ang ginagawa namin ngayon sa practice,” said Pacquiao, whose team got a boost with the acquisition of veterans Nino Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos via a three-team trade last August.

“Saka may mga gusto rin siyang mangyari especially dun sa mga bago namin, para ma-ready na sila sa PBA,” he added.

The 5-foot-6 Pacquiao, who turns 37 this December, played just a total of four games during his rookie year, averaging 0.25 point, 0.5 rebound and 0.25 assist in 6.5 minutes.

Pacquiao saw action for Mahindra in a pocket tournament he hosted recently in General Santos, where he dropped 19 points, spiked by five three-point shots to lead the Enforcers to a clinical 108-69 whipping of Goldstar-Davao.