MANILA, Philippines - Nilinaw ng mga team owners ng Globalport Batang Pier at Rain or Shine Elasto Painters na hindi nila haharangin ang pagiging playing coach ni boxing icon Manny Pacquiao para sa Team Kia sa darating na 40th PBA season.
“Who wouldn’t want Manny Pacquiao? But Manny Pacquiao who is a real Philippine idol and treasure is likewise the head coach of Kia. My team and the rest of the PBA teams should respect that,” wika ni Globalport team owner Mikee Romero.
“I think all the other teams, including Rain or Shine, respect the desire of Kia to have Manny coach and play for their team,” sabi naman ni Raymond Yu, ang co-owner ng Rain or Shine team.
Ang Globalport at Rain or Shine ang may tsansang kunin si Pacquiao sa 2014 PBA Rookie Draft sa Agosto 24 dahil hawak ng Batang Pier at ng Elasto Painters ang first at second pick sa draft order.
Nagsumite na ang world eight-division Filipino world boxing champ ng kanyang aplikasyon sa PBA draft noong Biyernes.
Kung sakali ay siya ang magiging ikalawang tanyag na boxer ng naglaro ng organized basketball matapos si American prized fighter Roy Jones.
Umaasa naman ang kampo ni Pacquiao na hindi kukunin ang boksingero sa draft para sa tuluyan niyang pagiging playing coach ng Kia.
“It’s important to note that Kia is reaching out to us,” sabi naman ni Talk ‘N Text alternate governor Patrick Gregorio.
Sinabi naman ni San Miguel Beer governor Robert Non na wala silang draft rights sa darating na draft exercise kaya wala silang tsansang makuha si Pacquiao.
Ngunit karapatan ng iba pang koponan na piliin si Pacquiao sa draft.
“Any Filipino or Fil-foreign players who wants to join the PBA are welcome, provided they meet all the requirements set by the PBA. It’s up to the coach whom he wants to choose in the draft. It’s their call,” ani naman ni Non.