Pacman Warriors join NBC

Manny Pacquiao tries to extend his dominance from the boxing ring to the basketball court when his MP Warriors Gensan joined the National Basketball Conference (NBC) recently.

The world’s 2006 Fighter of the Year and NBC secretary general Tito Palma signed the MOU (Memorandum of Agreement) at Pacquiao’s mansion in General Santos City, making the country’s tuna capital the newest member of the regional cagefest.

"My team will play as hard as I do when I’m in the ring, but try to win friends off the court," said Pacquiao.

Team manager Raides Neri and his assistant, Romy Neri Jr., joined Pacquiao in the signing ceremony.

NBC president Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla and league EVP Mayor Bambol Tolentino welcomed the new development.

"It’s great news, coming after sealing a deal with Solar-Basketball TV," said Padilla and Tolentino.

The MP Warriors Gensan hope to make a big impact when NBC kicks off its fourth season on March 10 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

Pacman’s team won the Mindanao division title in the inaugural season of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association and came close to duplicating the feat last year.

Coached by Ramon Pido, the MP Warriors are expected to be among the leading challengers of grandslam champion Ozamiz Cotta.

Meanwhile, NBC will have its first team owners’ meeting this year on Feb. 3 in Cagayan de Oro City. Basketball TV will also have representatives in the meeting.