PBA: Manny Pacquiao as pro baller 'healthy' for PBA - Guiao

Daniel Orton's tirade on Manny Pacquiao last week drew divided opinion from basketball fans.

The former Purefoods import called Pacman a "joke" for playing hoops in the professional ranks, earning the ire of the boxing icon's fans and the approval of basketball purists who believe that the PBA is better off without the champion fighter.

For veteran coach Yeng Guiao, however, Pacquiao is a positive addition to the country's premier basketball league.

"Overall, it's healthy because it's something that the fans enjoy - to see Pacquiao not just fighting but also playing basketball and coaching it," said the Rain or Shine mentor in an interview with GMA News Online.

"It adds to the spice of the league," he added.

Pacquiao has been making headlines since he entered the PBA to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing basketball professionally. Expansion franchise Kia raised eyebrows when they hired the People's Champ as their primary bench tactician, and those brows probably furrowed when Pacman selected himself for their first round pick in the rookie draft.

The fans, however, were delighted to watch the Sarangani representative play ball when he made his debut in front of a 50,000-strong crowd at the Philippine Arena in the season opener last October. They cheered him on when he got his share of minutes on the court and eagerly awaited his first field goal - a sentiment carried in every game he makes an appearance for Kia.

"There's certainly a lot more interest, and some controversies like 'yung kay Daniel Orton," said Guiao of Pacquiao's effect to the league.

Orton was summoned by Commissioner Chito Salud following his scathing remark, which was also directed to the referees in Purefoods' ill-fated match against Kia.

He was fined with a hefty sum of P250,000, and Purefoods sent him packing shortly after. Some league observers thought that the punishment was too harsh - but for the fiery mentor who has had a fair share of fines to his name, it is just a "very expensive learning experience" for Orton.

"I don't think Orton has an appreciation of how much we value Pacquiao," Guiao said. "Kasi kung alam niya 'yung appreciation natin baka hindi niya ginawa 'yun." - RAF, GMA News