PACMAN BACK AS SKIDDING SORENTO TACKLE PEAKING HOTSHOTS
Hardly damaged or hurt in his fight versus Chris Algieri Sunday, Manny Pacquiao wears his basketball uniform and shows up with the Kia Sorento in their important matchup with the Purefoods Star Hotshots in the PBA Philippine Cup in Antipolo Wednesday.
Pacquiao is not just showing up but playing in the 7 p.m. match, according to Kia team manager Eric Pineda.
Meanwhile, PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said the PBA has prepared a short video clip to be shown before the match in tribute to Pacquiao’s latest victory atop the ring.
And the Sorento hope they can live up to Pacquiao’s inspiration, particularly in this match where they are now in a virtual must-win situation.
They’re on the brink of elimination, having lost all their last seven games or all the games missed by Pacquiao as he focused on his preparation for the Algieri fight.
“Anong nangyari?” boxing scribes quoted Pacquiao as saying as he met his team in Macau.
The whole team was at ringside as Pacquiao pulverized his American opponent.
Also in the interview with the boxing scribes, Pacquiao expressed hope the Sorento can win at least two of their last three games to have a shot at making the post-elims play.
Kia’s last two assignments are Meralco and NLEX.
On the other hand, the Purefoods Star Hotshots are out to sustain their charge and salvage at least a spot in the Top Four or a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Having won four of their last six games, the Hotshots are now at sixth place, just a game behind the third-running Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-2) and half-game off joint fourth placers the Barangay Ginebra Kings (5-3) and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters (5-3).
The Hotshots are one with the nation in toasting Pacquiao for his triumph. But they insist playing him on the hard court is an entirely different thing. (SB)
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