PBA: What Pacquiao discussed with assistant coach before Kia beat Talk 'N Text

 

When Kia pulled off its huge upset against powerhouse Talk 'N Text on Wednesday, no one was more ecstatic than assistant coach Chito Victolero.

 

He hugged head coach Manny Pacquiao as the buzzer sounded to seal the Carnival's 106-103 victory, as if the Filipino boxing icon knocked out Floyd Mayweather Jr.

 

But perhaps, the essence is the same. Just as Pacman is widely considered as the underdog against the undefeated American boxer, expansion team Kia also faced a giant in the Tropang Texters.

 

"Masaya kami parehas kasi before the game pinag-usapan na namin 'yun e," Victolero revealed after the game.

 

Kia had a 2-4 card ahead of their clash with Talk 'N text, which shared the top of the standings with Meralco holding 5-1 record. The two coaches, however, believed they could deal a shock loss - something that the team already achieved twice in beating former champions San Miguel Beer and Purefoods.

 

So what did the coach and his top deputy talk about before the game?

 

"Sana makalusot kami dito kasi we have a big chance. Kasi nga nasa middle kami," Victolero said. "'Yun, kaya tuwang-tuwa kami nung nanalo."

 

Victolero seems to be comfortable serving as an assistant despite having more professional basketball experience than Pacquiao. He lets the Sarangani representative talk to the media in post-game press conferences, content in sitting beside the boxing superstar and lending silent support.

 

The game is the second to the last appearance that Pacquiao will make for Kia before his training camp in the United States starts as preparation for his fight against Mayweather on May 2.

 

Pacquiao is leaving after their game against Blackwater on Saturday, but the boxer expressed full confidence in his assistant coach and entrusted the team to him.

 

"Walang problema dahil 'yung assistant coach ko, 'yung mga coaches, alam naman nila 'yung ginagawa nila," he said, even quipping that the Kia should go for the championship. —JST, GMA News