The Jack of All Trades wants another field to conquer: basketball, and he's dead-serious in doing so.
Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who's also a Congressman in his country, insists he can also coach and play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) despite his busy schedule.
"It's a challenge," Pacquiao was quoted by Interaksyon.com as saying. He said in his native Filipino language: "When I started in boxing, many people criticized me. They said my style won't be enough to make me a champion. That I am not a good boxer."
"But I take that as a challenge. They (his critics) don't know what they're saying."
In another interview, the only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions says he can manage his coaching and playing duties in the PBA with the help of his assistant coaches.
"I have many assistant coaches. There should be no problem, I'll train here (in Manila)," he told the same website.
Pacquiao has publicly declared his intention to coach and play for the expansion team, Kia Motors, in the new PBA season slated at the end of the year. His plans have been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming his foray into professional basketball while others reluctant that his schedule and lack of expertise in basketball could do more harm than good for his team.
Even the PBA's winningest coach, Tim Cone, believes that Pacquiao is a good addition to any PBA team.
"I think he'll get a lot of help," Cone said. "But he'll be a good motivator. I'm sure his players will be in great shape like he is, getting up and down the floor. We'll see."
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