Manny Pacquiao coming to Dubai
The sporting legend will be visiting Dubai in November, but not for the reason you may expect…
When he’s not busy winning hearts and punching faces, Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao is either acting, singing, playing congressman or coaching his basketball team the ‘Mahindra Enforcers’.
Pacquiao is set to come to Dubai, but not for the reasons you would expect: this time he’s visiting as player-coach of the Mahindra Enforcers (formerly known as Kia Sorento), Manny and the team are scheduled to make a visit in November for the annual PBA Philippine Cup series.
Operations manager of Clique Events, Carlo Zozobrado told Sport360°, “Pacquiao will coach his team the Mahindra Enforcers against the Alaska Aces on November 6 to play in PBA’s Philippine Cup series in Dubai, at either Al Nasr Sports Club or Hamdan Sports Complex.”
Pacquiao, at 36 years old and just 5ft 6 inches tall, is the league’s ‘oldest’ newbie (and his team’s shortest player), taking up the position of point guard in the number 17 jersey.
Manny claims basketball is great cross training, and says it helps with his footwork and balance.
Sadly, after the shoulder injury he got in the build up to his fight with Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao has been stuck on the Mahindra Enforcers’ injured list – so we may only be able to see Manny on the sideline.
Aside from the Mahindra Enforcers, the Philippine Basketball Association will also be bringing the most popular basketball team in the Philippines to Dubai – Barangay Ginebra, who are set to play against Alaska on November 7.
Zozobrado concluded, “It’s definite – we have got confirmation from the PBA officials that Pacquiao will be in Dubai. This will be one of the biggest sporting events in Dubai before the year ends. We’re not just expecting the Filipino basketball and boxing fans to watch Pacquiao, but we’re sure a huge chunk of Dubai’s sports-loving residents will also come to see one of the best sportsmen in the world.”
