ALL eyes will be on KIA Motors and playing-coach Manny Pacquiao when they take on league leader Talk N Text in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Carnival are coming off fresh from their 95-84 upset of defending champion Purefoods in which youthful playmaker LA Revilla teamed up with hulking import Peter John Ramos in delivering the endgame blows against the Hotshots.
But the limelight is likewise expected to fall on Pacquiao, the boxing champion and superstar who just sealed a rich fight with unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 36-year-old rookie just scored his first point in the league against the Hotshots, and according to team manager Eric Pineda, he’s likely to play against the Tropang Texters in the 4 p.m. curtain raiser.
“Yes, lalaro siya (Pacquiao),” said Pineda.
The Carnival are currently in a three-way tie for eighth to 10th spots with their 2-4 record.
Talk ‘N Text is coming off a 98-96 squeker over NLEX last week behind Jayson Castro’s game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
The win put the Tropang Texters on top in a tie with sister team Meralco with identical 5-1 records.
New import Ivan Johnson, the former Atlanta Hawk forward, debuted with 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Tropang Texters after replacing reigning Best Import Richard Howell last week.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
