Legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to visit Dubai in November, not to throw punches inside the ring but to trade hoops on the basketball court.
Dubai-based Clique Events Company have confirmed they are bringing the Mahindra Enforcers, who Pacquiao acts as player-coach, to the UAE in the annual PBA Philippine Cup series.
Carlo Zozobrado, operations manager of Clique Events, told Sport360: “Pacquiao will coach his team Mahindra Enforcers (formerly Kia Sorento) against Alaska Aces on November 6 to play in PBA’s Philippine Cup series in Dubai at either Al Nasr Sports Club or Hamdan Sports Complex.”
Aside from being an eight-division boxing champion, Pacquiao, whose stellar record is 57 wins, six defeats and two draws from 65 fights, with 10 world titles, is also a player-coach in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), the second oldest basketball league in the world after the NBA.
The 36-year-old, who stands at just 5ft 6 inches, was selected 11th overall by Kia in PBA’s rookie draft last year and became the league’s ‘oldest’ newbie. He wears jersey No17 and plays at point guard.
Pacquiao played five games for Kia Sorento in the build-up to his superfight against Floyd Mayweather in May despite concerns over the affect it could have in his preparations for the ring.
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He has referred to basketball as “cross training” and says it’s good for his “footwork and balancing.”
Former Washington Wizards centre Daniel Orton was sacked by PBA team Purefoods Hotshots earlier this year after branding Pacquiao’s basketball skills, “a joke”.
Pacquiao is on Mahindra’s inj-ured list due to the shoulder injury that he suffered in the build-up to his loss to Mayweather so may only assume his duties on the sideline.
Zozobrado added: “It’s definite – we have got confirmation from PBA officials that Pacquiao will be in Dubai.
“This will be one of the biggest sporting events in Dubai before the year ends,” added Zozobrado, whose company also staged two successful PBA games in the emirate in May this year.
“We are expecting not just the Filipino basketball and boxing fans to watch Pacquiao but we’re sure a huge chunk of Dubai’s sports-loving residents will also come to see one of the best sportsmen in the world.”
An official confirmation is expected next week with the line-up and venue finalised.
Aside from Pacquiao’s team, the PBA will also bring to Dubai the most popular basketball team in the Philippines, Barangay Ginebra, who will play against Alaska on November 7.
The Fighting Pride of the Philippines is also an elected congressman and there is talk that he is setting his sight to run for a senate seat in next year’s Philippine national elections. He is also a recording artist who has released two albums, in 2006 and 2007.
