Pacquiao to play hoops in Dubai

CEBU, Philippines - Filipino sports icon Manny Pacquiao will take his athletic skills for the first time in the Middle East, not as a boxer but as a professional basketball player.

Pacquiao has confirmed in an exclusive interview that he will suit up for the Mahindra Enforcers (formerly known as KIA Carnival) where he is the  playing coach in a bearing match of the PBA Philippine Cup against the San Miguel Beermen on November 6 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The historic match-up will take place at either the Al Nasr Sports Club or the Hamdan Sports Complex.

"Yes, maglalaro ako sa Dubai this November. Di pa ako segurado kung sino pero sa pagkakaalam ko, San Miguel yata ang makakalaban namin," said the eight-dvision world champion.

Pacquiao is in Cebu since last Thursday to grace a shooting tournament named after him, the 1st Congressman Manny Pacquiao Challenge.

The two-day shootfest, which fired off yesterday at the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association (CPRA) Firing Range in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, is the first leg (Visayas Zone) of a three-part Level 3 shooting competition sanctioned by the Philippine Shooters Match Officer Confederation (PSMOC).

After Cebu, action shifts to General Santos City, Pacquiao's hometown, for the second leg (Mindanao Zone) on September 18-20. The third and final leg (National Capital Region/Luzon Zone) is calendared for September 25-27 at the Armscor Firing Range in Marikina City.

When asked if he could already shoot hoops considering that he is still in the process of recovery after undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder three months ago, the 36-year-old Pacquiao replied that it all depends on the progress of his rehabilitation.

"So far, maganda naman ang recovery ko. Puwede na seguro, pero tingnan lang natin. Basta gusto ko na talagang maglaro uli sa aking team," said Pacquiao, who showed no trace of a shoulder injury as he went for several rounds of target shooting at CPRA.

But even if he will not play, Pacquiao's presence alone is already a big thing to the oil-rich emirate where he has a huge following given the thousands of Filipino OFWs (Overseas Foreign Workers) in that area.

Aside from trading punches inside the ring, showcasing his skills on the hardcourt is something that Pacquiao loves doing. Playing basketball is even part of his conditioning every time he gears up for a major fight.

In fact, Pacquiao played a total of five games with Kia Sorento before leaving for the United States to complete his preparations for his superfight aginst Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last May. (FREEMAN)