Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is having the time of his life as not only is he dominating in the boxing world, but he also gets to live his dream to play as a professional basketball player in his home country.
Not only that, he is also a politician who is aspiring to become a senator and later on, might also run for the highest position in the country. But first, he might need to focus a bit on his basketball career as his performance is getting some attention from the PBA commissioner, Chito Narvasa.
The commissioner understands that Pacquiao have plenty of commitments. Among his priorities, basketball is definitely the last.
"You have to understand that Mr. Pacquiao is a personality in himself. He has many engagements, and first of all, he is not a basketball player, he is a boxer," said Narvasa via ABS-CBN news.
"Apparently, his interest in basketball led him to the PBA, and whatever time he has given, he has managed very well with the PBA, so I think recognition should also be given to him," he added.
However, the commissioner wishes Pacquiao to find his niche and concentrate on what he does best.
"But hopefully, eventually, he will be able to find out what he should be concentrating on very soon," he said.
But he is not taking away the fact that Pacquiao has been tremendous in terms of boosting attendance when his team plays.
"He draws crowds and it's tremendous," Narvasa admitted. "But in terms of basketball excellence, you know, he's not really a basketball player, he's a boxer."
Lastly, the commissioner said that the league will look closely on how Pacquiao will perform in the next few months and they might just do something that might number the Filipino boxer's days on the PBA's playing court.
"I have to look at the interests of the PBA in excelling in basketball. If him (Pacquiao) coming into the team helps Mahindra to do that, then of course we have to show him support," said Narvasa.
"And if it does not, then I think it could also be detrimental in the long term," he added.
