by Nick Giongco
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday that he is going to suit up for Kia Motors when the new ballclub plays in the PBA in October.
Pacquiao, who faces Tim Bradley in a rematch this Saturday at the MGM Grand, did not disclose the details about his PBA debut but expressed excitement over the prospects of donning the jersey of the Columbian Auto-owned franchise.
It could not be determined how the PBA will treat Pacquiao’s entry into the professional league since he is an active boxer and a congressman from Sarangani.
But Pacquiao is an avid hoops player and also owns and operates a team based in his native General Santos City.
Pacquiao also plays basketball during his free time and in-between fights, citing it helps him get into shape for a big fight.
The PBA accepted Kia Motors and two others—Blackwater and NLEX—as new PBA members, bringing the number of teams to 13.
Save for Kia Motors, the two have active squads playing in the PBA D-League.
At 5-6 and weighing somewhere between 140 to 155 when he is not training for a fight, Pacquiao will probably be one of the shortest cagers to play in the league.
Finally, a guy like Chris Monfort will get the chance to play alongside somebody who has got the same size as him.