Manny to form fighting Kia team

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao will definitely take an active role in molding the Kia franchise into a future PBA championship contender and his associate Eric Pineda, groomed to be team manager, said the other day the country’s No. 1 athlete will challenge every player to keep up with him in early morning runs.

 At the moment, Pineda said the only sure thing about the Kia squad is Pacquiao’s participation as playing coach. “We’re reviewing candidates for different positions,” he said. “Manny has his preferences like coach Glenn (Capacio) is on top of his list but everything will be cleared with Kia top management. Glenn has the experience of starting a new franchise with Globalport. We plan to invite free agents to a camp on May 26. We’re still looking for a venue. It could be the Reyes gym or Hoops Center or Treston gym. We’re also asking Buddy (Encarnado) if the Sta. Lucia gym is available.”

 Last week, Columbian Autocar Corp. president Ginia Domingo, Pineda and another Pacquiao associate Joe Ramos met with PBA commissioner Chito Salud, operations director Rickie Santos and media bureau chief Willie Marcial for a briefing on the league’s rules and regulations at the PBA office in Libis.

 â€œWe’re joining the PBA for marketing purposes,” said Domingo. “When we heard from Eric about the possibility of Manny joining our team, we all got very excited about it. Who wouldn’t be with an icon like Manny on your side? Right now, we’re looking at a table of organization. Manny will take a leadership role and will be complemented by a competent coaching staff of his choice. We at Kia are just so happy that with our team, Manny is now so close to living his dream of being involved with a professional basketball team as a player and coach.”

 The idea of Pacquiao joining Kia was reportedly hatched during a round of golf with Columbian Autocar vice chairman Bienvenido (Chito) Santos, Pineda and some Kia dealers. “We were talking about the Kia franchise in the PBA and I asked if they wanted Manny to play for the team,” said Pineda. “It all started from there.”

 Pineda said he knows that for Pacquiao to play in the PBA, he must go through the draft. “We explored past precedents of expansion teams allowed to make direct hires but we were told the Board of Governors won’t allow it this time,” said Pineda. “If Manny has to go through the draft to play for Kia, we just hope no other team picks him ahead of us.”

 Pineda said Pacquiao himself will supervise the team’s workouts in a “military boot camp” once it is formed. “He wants the team to be the best conditioned team in the PBA,” said Pineda. “Manny expects every player to be in shape 110 to 120 percent. He wants them to double their stamina. Just like when Manny gets ready for a 12-round bout, he actually trains for a 30-round fight. He wants the team to tire out every opponent, to play at a high pace for 48 straight minutes. It will mean an indoctrination. Manny expects the players to be as disciplined as he is. That means every player will be pushed to the limit, over the norm. He wants a team of no superstars.”

 Pineda said the team’s goals will be modest at the start. “We’re not sure of the quality of the rookies we can pick when our turn comes in the draft and in the dispersal draft, we don’t know how many high-level players will be available,” he said. “In our first season, we want to be the best expansion team and if we lose to the top teams, we won’t be blown out. We’ll never give up. Our aim is to be a fighting team, that’s how Manny wants it. We’ll be the underdogs. Manny’s used to being the underdog but look where he is now, he’s the country’s No. 1 athlete, No. 1 commercial endorser and the world’s only fighter to win eight titles in eight divisions.”

 Pineda said Pacquiao has looked over the list of PBA free agents. While nobody has been sounded out to join the team, free agents like Don Allado, J. R. Buensuceso, Ramsey Williams, Mark Andaya and Joshua Webb are in the radar. “We’ve consulted Alvin Patrimonio and he told us why not give Marlou Aquino a shot?” he added. PBA veteran Rob Wainwright is reportedly being eyed to join the coaching staff while Chris Gavina may be tapped as strength and conditioning coach.  A source said several coaches, including Ariel Vanguardia and Nomer Isla, have sent resumes to Kia. Joe Lipa was mentioned as a possible senior consultant. Even Robert Jaworski’s name was floated as another possible consultant.

 As for Pacquiao, Pineda said he’ll make a difference for sure. “Our feedback is fans of other PBA teams will jump over to Kia because of Manny,” said Pineda. “Don’t underestimate Manny as a player. He’s got game. He’s quick and smart. Just imagine when he hits a three-pointer, the crowd will go crazy. Basketball is a passion with Manny. His involvement with Kia will be good for the sport, for the PBA and for the fans.”

 Pineda said he expects Pacquiao to call in his friends to play for Kia in the import conferences.  â€œDon’t be surprised if guys like Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) and even Kevin Garnett show up to play for Manny,” said Pineda. “Maybe, when we announce the team, we’ll do a show hosted by Michael Buffer.” Kia recently launched the “Choose the Name, Win the Game” contest for its PBA team with a deadline of July 31. Originality, creativity, impact and appropriateness are the criteria in selecting the top entry. A five-day trip to Los Angeles and a chance to watch an NBA game live await the winner. Entries may be sent to www.NameTeamKia.com <http://www.nameteamkia.com/> .