No. not for his final fight in the ring. But to probably to amass more records for the other ring - basketball that is. As we all know, he has ventured into professional basketball last year because apparently, dribbling and shooting hoops adds a badge of honor for any sports aficionado in the Philippines.
Dubai is an emirate crazy about sports as its vibrant football fields and basketball courts can testify that. Upon Clique Events' announcement of Manny Pacquiao coming to the emirate, sports fans are looking forward to rubbing elbows with the boxing pound-for-pound king and the Philippines pride.
He is a playing coach for team Mahindra Enforcers who will be playing one official Philippine Cup game against the Alaska Aces on November 6. Then the Aces plays Ginebra on November 7. Games will be at Al Nasr Sports Club in Oud Metha.
Fresh from scoring his first field goal in the PBA last week, he is promising to enter the hard court again but might again play limited minutes only as he is still nursing a controversial shoulder injury at the height of his showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. earlier this year.
Despite the domination of football and cricket, basketball also has a huge following in the UAE. Thanks to the Filipinos who almost own every basketball court in the parks. South Asians, Arabs and many Westerners also are slowly showing interest in the sport, that's why many sporting brands such as Sun & Sand Sports are offering wide range of full basketball gear in their stores. They have the latest kicks, original jerseys, warmers, latest basketball socks and game accessories. It's where I bought my ball and my Air Jordan head band also.
Six months ago, the PBA was also here and had a successful double-header in games of Rain or Shine against Ginebra and Globalport.
With basketball considered as the de facto national sport in the Philippines, PBA’s arrival to Dubai sands will certainly give sports fans exciting games that will provide a peek into the world-class skills of Filipinos in the sport.
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