PACQUIAO MAY PLAY ALONGSIDE JUSTIN BIEBER IN NBA ALL STAR CELEBRITY GAME
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Feb 2011
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, fast emerging as a crossover star in the US, may see action alongside teenage heartthrob Justin Bieber and popular TV host Jimmy Kimmel in the NBA All Star Weekend celebrity game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles..
However, Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz told the Inquirer ?it has not been confirmed as yet? and indicated that Manny himself hasn?t give him his final decision about playing in the game.
There have been concerns expressed even by trainer Freddie Roach about Pacquiao?s penchant to play too much basketball and risk injury. But so far nobody has been able to stop him from playing.
It would obviously be regarded as another major publicity boost not just for Pacquiao but also for his showdown with Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 7.
The All Star Celebrity game will take place on February 20 Manila Time and will be telecast along with all the other All Star Games and side events on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and Studio 23 following the signing of a co-production agreement between Solar Sports which hold the TV rights and ABS-CBN.
The eagerly awaited WBC/WBO title fight between Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire and champion Fernando ?KO-Chulito? Montiel will be telecast on Channel 2 on February 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Pacquiao is scheduled to return to t5he Philippines on February 18 but if he plays in the NBA Celebrity game his return would be postponed until after the All Star Weekend which will be aired on Studio 23.
Although there has been no official word as yet from the White House or the US State Department on a possible courtesy call by Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee on US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, there have been reports it would take place on February 15 after Pacquiao visits the US Senate as guest of former Democratic senate president Harry Reid.
Pacquiao attended one final rally for Reid in Las Vegas and has been credited for delivering the swing votes of Filipino-Americans that helped Reid win in a closely contested election.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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