Champ can’t wait to rejoin Kia

MANILA, Philippines - After WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao battles challenger Chris Algieri in Macau this morning, he hopes to rejoin Kia Sorento in the expansion PBA team’s last three games of the Philippine Cup eliminations. Pacquiao is Kia’s playing coach and because of his focus in training for Algieri, has been able to show up with the Sorento only once this season.

Pacquiao, 35, became the oldest player ever drafted in the PBA when Kia picked him with the 11th slot on the first round last August. He made his PBA debut in Kia’s 80-66 win over Blackwater at the Philippine Arena in the league’s 40th season opener last Oct. 19. Pacquiao started and played cautiously. He made no attempt in 6:46 minutes and could’ve returned on the court with the outcome settled, time down to two minutes, but opted to stay on the sidelines.

Kia came back from a 13-point deficit to beat the Elite. The Sorento trailed by nine at the half and in the lockeroom, Pacquiao reminded the players not to be intimidated, that this is their time to shine. The words of inspiration propelled Kia to victory. Since that win, Kia has lost seven in a row as it awaits Pacquiao’s return.

If things go according to plan, Pacquiao should beat Algieri easily and fly back to Manila in time to resume basketball training tomorrow night. Pacquiao’s goal is to be with the Sorento in the game against Purefoods at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Wednesday. Other games in the schedule are against Meralco on Dec. 3 and NLEX on Dec. 7.

Pacquiao admitted he didn’t want to risk an injury during his first quarter appearance against Blackwater. In one instance, he backed off as Alex Nuyles drove in for a layup, careful not to make unnecessary contact that could lead to an injury. “My focus was on Algieri,” said Pacquiao. “I promised Freddie (Roach) I wouldn’t do anything crazy on the court like risk an injury. I couldn’t play my usual game. In the barangays and regional leagues, I’m used to playing rough basketball. But with the Algieri fight coming up, I couldn’t risk making contact. It will be different after the fight when I return to play in the PBA.”

Roach initially didn’t want Pacquiao to suit up in Kia’s opener but was persuaded to give in after the champion promised not to do anything risky. It was a historic game, after all, and Pacquiao didn’t want to let down the 52,612 fans who watched the contest. Roach stayed in General Santos City while Pacquiao played and watched on TV. He had to be happy that not only did Pacquiao keep his promise but Kia won, too.

A source from Kia said Pacquiao is not being paid a centavo as playing coach. A pro forma contract had to be drawn up to formalize his engagement but in reality, Pacquiao is just out to play the game he loves. In fact, the source said Pacquiao has intimated that if ever his fight against Floyd Mayweather pushes through, he could take care of Kia’s annual budget with what he is expected to earn from the megafight. That’s how passionate Pacquiao is in his love for the game and commitment to Kia.

“I’m grateful to Kia for giving me a free hand to put this team together from the coaches to the players,” said Pacquiao. “Our goal is to make it to the next round. We’ve got one win so far, we’ll need at least two more to make sure we don’t get eliminated right away.” Only the last two finishers of 12 teams will be struck out after the eliminations end on Dec. 9. Pacquiao said he wants Kia to advance to the playoffs.

For this morning’s fight, the entire Kia team will be provided tickets to watch at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Resort Macau. The plan is for the Kia coaches and players to sit on the second row of ringside wearing Sorento caps. “Basketball is not a difficult sport,” said Pacquiao. “To win, players just have to execute and do what they’re supposed to. With our team, we have different plays which we identify by color like we call this color if we want to stick close to shooters or if we trap or whatever. I always tell my players they shouldn’t be intimidated, that this is their time to prove what they can do as basketball players.”

Pacquiao said sometimes, while in General Santos City watching Kia play on TV, he’d communicate with the bench and instruct assistant coach Glen Capacio to substitute certain players. It’s his typical hands-on approach to getting things done.

As for what will happen in the fight, Pacquiao said he’s not predicting a knockout only that he’ll win convincingly. “I expect him to run,” said Pacquiao. “I have to stop him from running. I know what I have to do. If I throw 1-2-3-4 combinations, I don’t think he’ll just stand to get hit. I’ll chase him down, maybe attack the body so he loses his quickness. But if he’s quick, I think I’m quicker.”

Pacquiao likened Algieri to Mexico’s Jorge Solis whom he stopped in eight rounds in San Antonio, Texas, in 2007, with Roach, conditioning coach Justin Fortune and assistant Buboy Fernandez in his corner. “Similar styles,” he said. “Algieri is tall like (Antonio) Margarito but they don’t fight alike. Algieri fights more like Solis. They’re tall and they like to jab.”

Asked about the possibility of facing Floyd Mayweather next year, Pacquiao said he’d rather not comment. “I don’t want to bring up Floyd’s name because he might think I’m using him to market my fight against Algieri,” he said. “After the Algieri fight, then we can talk about Floyd or any other fighter. At the moment, my main and only focus is Algieri.”