?Please don?t harm Manny.?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 14 Oct 2014
TRAINER Freddie Roach has pleaded with opponents to kindly keep Manny Pacquiao out of harm?s way when he debuts with his Kia Motors team in the PBA season opening on Sunday.
It?s final and executory: Roach is allowing Pacquiao to see action for Kia Motors, but only for the opening game against Blackwater.
?But please don?t harm Manny, ? Roach was quoted yesterday as pleading by veteran sportswriter Eddie Alinea of philboxing.com.
**
Well, if it were not basketball, Roach would?ve been sliced raw by critics for begging for the impossible, harming each other being the main job of protagonists in Pacquiao?s main calling.
Roach honestly feels it won?t be asking too much to give Pacquiao an unusual preference on Sunday.
?I know how tough, even rough, basketball games here are. All I beg his would-be rivals is to please take care of Manny,? Roach said.
How?
?You can block his shots, steal the ball away, but take care not to hurt him if you treasure him as your boxing icon,? Roach explained.
**
Roach had previously commented Pacquiao was not exactly cut out for basketball.
After he arrived in the country middle of last week, Roach said he would not give Pacquiao permission to play because of the PBA opening?s proximity to his prized pupil?s defense of his WBO welterweight crown against tall Chris Algieri in Macau on Nov. 23.
The trainer eventually relented saying ?I just can?t stop him completely because he loves basketball so much.?
Of course, Roach was evidently swayed into giving Pacquiao a one-game pass (to play) after the eight-division world title winner displayed terrific form in his first session with the American mentor in General Santos City.
**
Anyway, while Roach has been very accomodating, he could not predict or comment on what quality of game Pacquiao will be able to display at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan come Sunday.
No, Roach was not saying Pacquiao diehards should be prepared to be disappointed.
But a sneak review by an objective foreign observer could provide some idea on what to expect from Pacquiao , the basketball player, on Sunday.
**
Nick Schwartz, reporting for USA Today, noted that the Kia Motors playing coach ?did not look comfortable handling the ball? as he had a single point and two turnovers in a ten-minute stint for Kia in a pre-season game in Binan, Laguna the other week.
Will Pacquiao turn instantly sharp and super in his formal PBA debut?
Even Kia Motors people can?t commit while explaining that, after all, Pacquiao?s main chore ?is to lead and inspire his team.?
And help sell countless Kia Sorentos?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025