Manny Pacquiao news reveals Freddie Roach's decision to allow "Pacman" to play in the season opener of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The famed trainer, however, has requested for his fighter's on-court rivals to "take care of Manny."
Upon Pacquiao's plans to be drafted as a playing coach for the PBA's KIA Motors franchise, his trainer Freddie Roach had his concerns. Rightfully so, the famed boxing coach has his concerns regarding potential injuries that may happen during the game.
In an interview with PhilBoxing, Roach had finally conceded on the fact that the eight-division world champion would be playing on the league's season-opener on October 19th.
"He told me that there's one game he has to go, and I said, 'Manny, you told me you'll be the coach of that game.' He said, 'I'm gonna play a couple of minutes, and I'm gonna coach the rest of the time.' So there is one more game, yes," Roach said.
Manny Pacquiao news reveals that "Pacman's" professional basketball stint would be smack dab in the middle of his training camp in preparation for the November 22 clash against undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Chris Algieri.
This was why Roach reiterates that Pacquiao must fulfill his end of the deal and play grueling minutes each game.
"A few minutes, just to make an appearance more or less, then he's gonna coach," he said.
Pacquiao's best friend and long-time training partner Buboy Fernandez also believes that while the fighter's commitment has already been made, it is also wise to not put himself too much at risk to injuries.
"Once you're in there, there's no turning back," Fernandez said in Filipino in a report by ABS-CBN News. "But he also needs to keep himself from injury because we are only weeks away 'til fight day."
Given this circumstance, Roach has one request for Pacquiao's on-court opponents.
"I beg his would-be rivals to please take care of Manny," Roach said. "You can block his shots, steal the ball away, but please don't hurt him."
