MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao’s stats line in his PBA debut raised doubts on whether the boxing icon can really cope up with the level of play in the pros.
The celebrated eight-division world boxing champ and Saranggani congressman, as expected, came out the top draw in PBA Season 40 inaugural rites but got a rude welcome playing with the big boys.
Donning jersey No. 17, Pacquiao started at two-guard spot and played six minutes and 46 seconds where he got to touch the ball only three times and threw it away twice.
He committed a foul and checked out after the Blackwater had established a 15-6 lead.
The crowd roared instantly as Pacquiao touched the leather for the first time on a handout by Virgil Buensuceso with a little over four minutes into the game.
He spun to wiggle out of the defenses of Larry Rodriguez and Alex Nuyles then dished it off to Rich Alvarez who drew a foul as he drove for a layup. Alvarez, however, deprived Pacquiao of an assist as the former Rookie of the Year awardee botched his charities.
In their next possession, the Sorento set up Pacquiao for a shot from the right flank, but the boxing star fumbled Buensuceso’s pass.
Getting another handoff in their next play, Pacquiao committed another error as, after a defensive switch by Blackwater, he found himself facing the towering JP Erram.
Not reflected on his stats was his defensive help on Buensuceso, forcing Alex Nuyles to an error parlayed by Josh Webb to Kia’s first basket in the game.
On two other defensive stands, Pacquiao gave away a basket each to Rodriguez and Nuyles.
At the half, Pacquiao rued their 8-of-36 field shooting and 8-of-18 free throws.
Whether Pacquiao was making the right calls or not, the Sorento, with a big lift from LA Revilla, turned the game around in the second half, pulling off a stirring come-from-behind 80-66 win.