‘Coach’ Pacman set to join PBA draft

MANILA, Philippines - Barring any change of heart, Manny Pacquiao will file his application for the 2014 PBA Draft on Friday, way ahead of the Aug. 13 deadline for rookies wanting to play in the pro league.

Pacquiao will be at the PBA office in Quezon City as head coach of expansion team Kia Motors which gets to pick players from the dispersal pool.

According to team manager Eric Pineda, the congressman and boxing champion will also file his application for the draft set Aug. 24.

“He will apply for the draft,” Pineda told The STAR.

By joining the draft, Pacquiao will get the chance to become only the third Filipino to act as playing coach in the PBA after Robert Jaworski and Ramon Fernandez.

Pacquiao was presented to the media last June 9 as head coach of Kia Motors, one of the three new teams that will see action in the next PBA season starting in October.

But during the press conference held at the Kia Motors main office in Makati, the 35-year-old boxer said he was more focused on forming the team.

Kia Motors had hoped that by naming Pacquiao as head coach, the eight-division world champion may play for the team without joining the rookie draft.

But the PBA said there are rules to follow.

Pineda said Pacquiao had already spoken to PBA commissioner Chito Salud regarding the draft, and that the boxer has decided to join the draft.

“Manny Pacquiao is abiding by the rules and policies of the PBA regarding rookie players,” said Pineda, who personally informed PBA media bureau head Willie Marcial of Pacquiao’s presence in the expansion draft on Friday.

However, the big question is: What happens if any of the teams other than Kia drafts Pacquiao?

The boxer himself said it there’s no logic for any team to do that.

“I am thee Head coach of  Kia  so why would other teams draft me?” said Pacquiao.

Pineda echoed the boxer’s sentiment.

“I’m sure the other teams will respect the move. It’s already been announced that he’s the head coach of Kia Motors. So, what’s the point of other teams drafting him?” Pineda said.

Global Port leads the order of drafting while Kia Motors picks either 11th or 12th depending on a lottery involving fellow expansion team Blackwater.