Pacquiao to suit up for MP Warriors in PBL, Liga joint project

Congressman-elect Manny Pacquiao will use his remaining days as a private citizen by playing basketball when he joins the General Santos City-based MP Warriors in the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP), which opens on June 2. TOP is the first joint project between the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas. MP Warriors coach Fean Del Rosario said that Pacquiao has signified his intention to be reinstated in the Warriors’ line-up, a team that is owned by the seven division world champion. "(Pacquiao) told his brother Bobby that he wants to be reinstated and play in his team. There’s a possibility that he might play," said Del Rosario in an interview during Saturday’s rookie draft held at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) office in Pasig City. Pacquiao, who officially begins his work as representative of the lone legislative district of Sarangani province on July 1, played sparingly with the Warriors in past Liga Pilipinas tournaments due to his boxing training. "Bobby also wanted to play but he will be on our reserve list since Manny’s going to suit up," added Del Rosario. TOP will use Liga Pilipinas’ format where participating teams will host a leg as part of the elimination round. Nine teams have confirmed participation to the initial tie-up where Cebu, Mandaue, Misamis Oriental and Laguna would join GenSan from the Liga Pilipinas side while Pharex, Magnolia, ANI-FCA and Cobra will compete from the PBL. – GMANews.TV