Roach allows Pacquiao to play in PBA opener, but…

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach has taken a 180-degree turn and is now allowing Manny Pacquiao to see action in the Kia Sorentos’ PBA debut on Sunday, October 19.

Veteran scribe Eddie Alinea of Philboxing.com, who is covering Pacquiao’s training camp in General Santos City, broke the news about Roach giving his prized ward the green light to play in the PBA opener.

The bespectacled trainer initially prohibited Pacquiao from suiting up for Kia – which lists him as playing coach – throughout the duration of training for his fight with American Chris Algieri on November 23 in Macau.

But Roach has had a change of heart, with the help of Pacquiao’s insistence.

“Yeah, he asked my permission to play in the opening day for the fans, so I told him I'll allow him to see action for only one minute," the multi-titled cornerman told Alinea.

And if Pacquiao exceeds the one-minute limit?

"Well, I myself will take him out. I'm coming with him to Manila, sit on the team bench and act as the head coach with him as my assistant,” Roach jokingly said.

“Nah, of course he can play as long as he wishes, if that's what it will take to make the fans happy,” he continued.

Kia will take on fellow expansion team Blackwater to usher in the PBA’s 40th Season this Sunday at the high-capacity Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Pacquiao wants to celebrate his team’s PBA debut by playing.

Roach is now fine with that, as long as the fighting congressman takes care of himself and avoids injury.  

"Any kind of injury that can postpone or completely cancel his fight can mean the end of his boxing career and all the years he's been in this profession of choice,” the trainer explained.

Roach went on to issue a plea to Pacquiao’s competitors.

“I know how tough and sometimes rough basketball games here are and all I beg his would-be rivals is to please to take care of Manny. You can block his shots, steal the ball away, but please don't hurt him, if you, indeed, treasure him as your boxing icon," he stressed.

After the PBA’s opening day, it will be business as usual for the Pacquiao camp in General Santos City.

“The permit is only for the opening day. We had just shifted training to a higher level and I don't want that interrupted,” Roach said. – Dino Maragay