Dubai — Team Pacquiao yielded to Team Fade, 93-99, on Monday night, Dec. 2, (early Tuesday in Manila) in a well-attended exhibition game at the Al Nasr Sports Club’s Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall here.
Powered by legendary Fadi El Khatib and Asian standout Wael Arakji, the selection put up by international influencer Kris Fade, outscored the pickup squad of MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) in a two-minute span in the homestretch, 9-3, to prevail.
The 6-foot-6 Khatib, who led Lebanon to four FIBA Asia Champions Cup titles in his prime, proved unstoppable with 42 points, 24 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block without a turnover in a no-relief stint.
Khatib, now 45 and around 260 pounds, got support from the 6-foot-4 Arakji, the Lebanese MVP of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, with 31 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Said Ahmad backed them up with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Wilson Baltazar, a member of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns here for the MPBL Sixth Season National Finals, posted 27 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals for Team Pacquiao, which didn’t have a single scrimmage together.
Joshua Dela Cruz, also from Pampanga, tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, followed by David Sisson with 14 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. MPBL Operations Head Emmer Oreta notched 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 block.
MPBL Commissioner and PBA All-time great Kenneth Duremdes chipped in 5 points, 3 points and 2 assists, tailing his son, Andrei, who chalked 7 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal.
Pacquiao, accustomed to playing without relief, saw action for only 9 minutes and 22 seconds after injuring his right calf and settled for a lone triple and 1 rebound.
Paolo Ramirez added 5 points 5 assists and 4 rebounds while Marketing Head Seth Jamora chipped in 1 point for Team Pacquiao coached by Rudy Distrito.
Jun Bonsubre did not attempt but snagged 12 rebounds apart from 3 assists and 2 blocks.
