Pacquiao is currently busy organizing his new basketball team as coach under the Kia Motors banner -- and the Filipino-American coach of the NBA defending champions Miami Heat, Erik Spoelstra, had a few things to say about the boxer's new endeavor.
Spoelstra said in a report by Yahoo! Sports, "Well, I'm not taking a boxing job. But I know he's a huge basketball fan, so it doesn't surprise me."
Pacquiao's other beloved sport is basketball and he regularly plays whenever he got the chance since he was a little kid. Pacquiao is also bound to fight again in November 2014, just a little over a month after the Philippine Basketball Association season starts. He said that he only needs to have discipline and focus to handle all responsibilities as a professional boxer, coach and congressman.
When asked whether he might be going head-to-head against Pacquiao in terms of coaching, Spoelstra shook his head and said, "I'll hopefully be able to see him this summer, see what's up. Maybe I'll check out a practice."
According to an article by Filipino Reporter, Pacquiao and Spoelstra may work together soon for a good cause by holding sports clinics for Filipinos. Spoelstra was agreeable to the idea and said, "Manny's people actually got back to us the other day and said he was really interested in getting together to do something like this. The plan is to hold a series of clinics in the Philippines next year to promote sports and healthy lifestyles for the youth." He added, "It's for a good cause, and we're really excited about the chance to do it." The program will most likely be done in Kibawe, Bukidnon in the Philippines.
During the NBA offseason, Spoelstra visits the Philippines to conduct sports clinics. He first met Pacquiao a few years ago in one summer visit, in a report by CBS Sports. He wrote then, "I had the opportunity to meet Filipino Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao. It was an honor to finally meet him in person."
Pacquiao seemed to be very focused in his new coaching job and shared that his top priority is to complete the roster and form a competitive team. There were talks that he may function as a playing coach. Pacquiao kept the idea open but said that he needed to focus on coaching first. The PBA season will commence in September 2014. Pacquiao's presence is expected to increase the popularity of the sport in the Philippines.
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