Playing coach Manny Pacquiao debuts in PBA preseason for Kia Sorento

Manny Pacquiao made his professional basketball debut on Saturday, seeing action for PBA expansion team Kia Sorento during a preseason matchup against Blackwater Sports in Biñan, Laguna.

Pacquiao is the playing coach for the squad after being selected 11th overall in the rookie draft last August. The Filipino ring icon was appointed coach of the team prior to that.

But with his duties as a boxer and as congressman of Sarangani province, Pacquiao's availability for the professional team's games have been in question. He was absent from the draft and also missed activities prior to the event to attend to his commitments for his upcoming fight against Chris Algieri in November.

Despite his busy schedule, however, Pacquiao has promised to play for Kia, saying he has already secured permission from trainer Freddie Roach to do so. — JST, GMA News