Manny dribbles time away

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao hit a few big shots inside the basketball court but just couldn’t carry his team to victory Monday evening.

Pacquiao played a hardly fought pick-up game at the Rizal Coliseum where his team absorbed a bitter 78-77 loss to a squad led by a couple of collegiate standouts.

Pacquiao played the entire first half where his team trailed most of the time. In the second half he started hitting baskets against taller opponents.

He scored from inside the paint to give his team, which included former PBA import Jamelle Cornley, a 60-59 lead. It was tight from there.

Pacquiao’s team took a 77-75 lead with time running out but blew it away when the opposing team nailed an open three-pointer in the final 7.5 seconds.

Pacquiao was on the bench when the game’s final basket was made.

For the final play, Pacquiao was fielded back. He threw the inbounds pass to Cornley, who hesitated and passed off to another teammate who missed at the buzzer.

Pacquiao just scratched his head as his team lost a won ballgame.

Earlier that day, Pacquiao went out for a morning run inside Forbes Park and trooped to the gym for a two-hour workout in the afternoon.

He was back at the gym yesterday and trained hard as usual.

And still wanting to play basketball.