Pacquiao invites Mayweather to basketball game

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao has invited Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a friendly game of basketball, but the American superstar has yet to confirm as he winds down his visit to the Philippine islands.

According to Pacquiao’s information officer, the two legends of the sport spoke briefly on the phone Tuesday evening.

Mayweather was vacationing in beautiful Palawan while Pacquiao had just wrapped up another day of intense training when they hooked up on the phone.

Pacquiao invited Mayweather to come over and see action in a pre-season game for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in Polomolok, South Cotabato Thursday night.

Upon his arrival early morning of Tuesday, Mayweather said he hoped to catch up with Pacquiao, and play basketball with his ring rival.

“Hopefully we meet and probably have lunch or dinner. And see how it’s going with Manny and his team,” Mayweather said.

Pacquiao is busy with training for his July 15 encounter with WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse.

Mayweather, on the other hand, is on a world tour, with previous stops in Dubai, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand prior to the Philippines.

The retired 41-year-old boxer was back in Manila Wednesday, and did a photo shoot at the Solaire Resort and Casino, his temporary home.

Based on previous plans, Mayweather was to leave Thursday for yet another destination of his choice.

But his itinerary is written in chalk.