PACQUIAO BACK, PROVIDES SORENTO INVALUABLE INSPIRATION
Kia almost pulling off the rug from under Purefoods Star Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo?
Credit goes to playing coach Manny Pacquiao for that. The Sorento played inspired ball with their world boxing champion playing coach around, giving the Hotshots quite a scare.
Three days separated from his emphatic win over Chris Algieri in Macau, Pacquiao made his much awaited return to the PBA.
In the pregame shootaround, the full-house crowd roared everytime Manny took a shot and drained a three. Although in uniform, the Kia playing-coach did not log a single minute in Kia’s 77-88 loss to the Hotshots.
Pacquiao explained that he did not enter the game because he still isn’t feeling well.
“Masama pa yung pakiramdam ko. Masakit pa yung katawan ko so di ko na pinilit. Sinubukan lang natin,” he said.
Being the fighter that he is, the 5-foot-6 Pacquiao also said that he just didn’t force things and opted to play his cards safe, saying, “Di na lang natin pinilit. Kaya natin pero di natin pinilit. Marami pa namang laro eh.”
But his presence alone was a big inspiration to his wards, as the Sorento controlled the game for three quarters before slowing down and giving way in the end. And Pacquiao believes that his players just tired out.
“Maganda yung laro namin. Nag-collapse lang kami, naubusan ng stamina nung fourth quarter,” he said. “Maganda yung pinakita ng players at maganda yung depensa. Yun lang, sa last quarter, naubusan na ng stamina. Yun na lang ang iiimprove namin.” (RL)
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