Pacquiao due in Cebu today to grace Hoopsdome launch

CEBU, Philippines - Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao will treat his Cebuano fans to a different kind of entertainment as the eight-division world champion will stage a free concert highlighting the grand launching of the state-of-the-art Hoopsdome tonight in Brgy. Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

This will be the first time that Pacquiao will showcase his singing prowess before the Cebuano public.

He will be accompanied by composer Lito Camo and his MP Band.

The 5,000-seater, fully air-conditioned facility worth P192 million takes pride for being the most modern sports venue in the Queen City of the South although Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Harry Radaza said it could be used for other purposes such as concerts and conventions among others.

"This is primarily the reason why we're inviting all event organizers in the city to attend the grand launching for them to see that the Hoopsdome is not only for basketball, it is a multi-purpose facility," said Radaza, the city council's committee chairman on sports and tourism.

In fact, the seventh installment of the "Pinoy Pride" series to be headlined by ALA Boxing Gym star AJ "Bazooka" Banal will take place at the world-class venue on July 30 (see separate story).

After the concert, Pacquiao will face the media for a brief press conference where he is expected to talk on his upcoming third match with Mexican dynamite Juan Manuel Marquez and a possible superbout with Flloyd Mayweather, Jr.

Meanwhile, Radaza advised those who want to witness the highly-anticipated show to come to the venue as early at 5 pm because even if it is open to the public for free, entrance will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Prior to Pacman's concert that will start at 9 pm, Radaza said there will be a lot of production numbers. There will be also some videoclips showing Pacquiao's memorable fights and major sporting spectacles that have been held in Lapu-Lapu, most recently the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie between Philippines and Japan.

"We'll make it sure that it's going to be a whole night of fun and entertainment for those who will be coming over at the Hoopsdome. This is part of our aggressive effort to promote sports tourism in Lapu-Lapu City," said Radaza.  (FREEMAN)