Pacman to play in Kia Kamao debut

MANILA, Philippines - If the plan to stage the PBA’s 40th season-opening doubleheader at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bulacan pushes through on Oct. 19, playing coach Manny Pacquiao will make his debut with Kia against Blackwater in the first game and fans will be treated to a duel between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Talk ‘N’ Text in the second contest.

A PBA source said yesterday a meeting is being arranged to confer with Philippine Arena officials on the feasibility of celebrating the league’s ruby anniversary in the world’s largest indoor stadium. The initial feedback is the Philippine Arena officials are receptive to hosting the inaugural twinbill.

But before Pacquiao is able to suit up, he must be picked in the PBA draft at the Robinsons Manila on Aug. 24. The WBO welterweight champion is one of 95 rookie applicants who will report for biometrics on Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Hoops Center on Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong. PBA commissioner Chito Salud will release the final list of approved rookie eligibles on Aug. 20.

The rookie list is the largest in PBA history. The applicants have grown from 36 in 2011 to 71 in 2012 to 85 last year. This season’s list includes 15 Fil-foreigners headed by consensus first overall draft choice Stanley Pringle of Penn State.

Pacquiao, however, will not be able to attend the draft as he is committed to participate in the global media tour set up by Top Rank to promote his Nov. 23 title defense against undefeated challenger Chris Algieri in Macau. Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda told The Star that the fighter will leave Manila for Beijing on Aug. 23 then travel to Macau, Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York City in a whirlwind 1 1/2 week drumbeating schedule. Pineda, who is Kia team manager, will accompany Pacquiao to Beijing but intends to take an early morning flight back to Manila to witness the draft the next day. Pacquiao will fly from Beijing to Macau.

Pineda said Pacquiao will begin training for his next fight in September, possibly in General Santos City with Freddie Roach. He may switch camp to Metro Manila in October to stay close with the Kia team. “I don’t think there will be a problem of finding time in Manny’s calendar to fit both training in boxing and coaching Kia,” said Pineda. “He runs in the morning and goes to the gym in the afternoon for boxing then early evening, he can attend the Kia practice. I’m not sure if he’ll play at practice, maybe he’ll concentrate on coaching. But if Kia plays on opening day, Manny will suit up for sure.”

Pineda said at the moment, Kia has about 20 players showing up for practice. The PBA will require a final lineup of 12 players plus two on reserve. “Right now, we’ve got about 12 shoo-ins,” said Pineda. “We’ve got players still trying out and we hope to pick up some rookies in the draft. For instance, we plan to draft Manny’s first cousin Rene who’s 6-5. Rene is familiar with our system so we want him in our lineup. But there aren’t too many big men available in the draft so it’s likely he’ll be picked before our turn comes in the second round. We’ll use our first pick for Manny then we don’t pick again until No. 24.”

Leading Kia is veteran Rich Alvarez who was the first overall pick in the 2004 draft. Alvarez, 33, took the UAAP MVP honors twice with Ateneo and was the PBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2004-05. He has played for Shell, Alaska, Red Bull, Air 21, Purefoods, Ginebra and Talk ‘N’ Text in his PBA career. “Rich is in the best shape of his life,” said Pineda. “He’s our leader. He inspires the guys in the dugout with his pep talks. And on the floor, he’s out to prove he can still play.”

Pineda said what makes the Kia team exciting is the players, like Alvarez, are all out to prove they belong in the PBA. From the dispersal draft came, in order, Reil Cervantes, Mike Burtscher, Hans Thiele, Alvin Padilla, Jai Reyes, Paul Sanga, Bogart Raymundo, Eder Saldua, Nic Belasco, L. A. Revilla, Joshua Webb and Chad Alonzo. Others in the Kia pool are Eric Suguitan, Khasim Mirza, Karl Dehesa, Axel Doruelo and Rudy Lingganay. Simon Atkins’ agent reached out the other day to inquire if the former La Salle guard could try out, too.

“The guys are all leveling up because of Manny,” said Pineda. “Everyone’s excited to play and do well. Take L. A., for instance. He’s our starting point guard. In one scrimmage, he scored 28 and Manny, playing two-guard, had 21. Joshua is another example of a player out to prove something. In one practice game, he exploded for 32 points. We’re also excited about Burtscher whom I call our meek animal, very polite and courteous but on the court, he’s a beast. Our assistant coach Rob Wainwright is working hard to develop Mike’s offensive skills. We want him to be a scorer aside from being a rebounder and defender.”

Two players whom Pineda cited for impressing in tryouts are Padilla and Sanga. “They’re lights-out three-point shooters,” said Pineda. “We like their attitude and we think they’ll fit in.” Padilla was Ginebra’s fifth round choice in last year’s draft while Sanga was unpicked. Two other undrafted players in the Kia pool are Saldua and Raymundo who were not selected in 2008. Pineda said Raymundo, who played briefly for Globalport, may be Kia’s starting center.

Pineda said if the Philippine Arena plan is finalized, Pacquiao will invite renowned ring announcer Michael Buffer to fly in and introduce Kia in the first game of the opening doubleheader. “I can just hear Michael introduce Manny as the fighting Congressman from Sarangani, the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight divisions, the reigning WBO welterweight champion and Kia playing coach,” said Pineda. “That will bring the house down.”