NBA fan Pacquiao shifts loyalty to Kobe, Lakers

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao showed another side of his personality – that of a basketball fan – when he recently rubbed elbows with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant of the champion Lakers.

Pacquiao met Bryant during a photo shoot for a giant sports apparel brand in LA and couldn’t help but admire the multi-titled cager for his humility and warmth not only to him but to his family who accompanied him to the City of Angels.

“Naging mainit at masaya ang aming pagkikita sa aming magkabilang set nitong nakaraang araw kasama si Kobe. Kasama ang aking pamilya, masaya kaming nagpakuha ng photos kasama si Kobe at masasabi kong nahulog ang aking loob sa mabuting ipinakita sa akin ni Ginoong Bryant," Pacquiao wrote in his “Kumbinasyon" column for Abante and Philboxing.com on Sunday.

Aside from his bread and butter sport, Pacquiao is also passionate about basketball, among other sports. He co-owns the GenSan Warriors basketball team and even played in a few of the squad’s matches. He’s known to be a Celtics fan, acting like a kid who just got his wished-for Christmas present when last year’s NBA champions dropped by his dugout.

But his recent gig with Kobe has apparently made him shift alliance to the Celtics’ rivals, the Lakers. And he couldn't wait to be the gracious host when Bryant visits the Philippines soon.

“Dahil na rin sa marami akong mga kaibigang basketball players, lalung-lalo na sa karibal nilang Boston Celtics, hindi ko naiwasang humanga sa pagiging humble ni Kobe, na bibisita sa Pilipinas nitong buwang kasalukuyan," the Pacman said.

"Sabi ko sa kanya, mula ngayon, ako ay isa nang ganap na Lakers fan at hihintayin ko siya sa Pilipinas sa darating na araw para naman maipakita ko rin ang hospitality na naging sikat sa ating mga Pilipino," he added.

The reigning pound-for-pound king is still in the process of negotiating for his next fight. His promoter Top Rank is currently working out a showdown with stablemate Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

“Wala pa ring takdang petsa at napagkakasunduang detalye sa aking susunod na laban at maaaring sa Oktubre o Nobyembre na ang susunod kong fight date pero sa ngayon, marami pa rin akong pinagkaka-abalahang mga proyekto sa bansa. Naririyan ang mga shooting ng dalawang pelikula na akin namang kinahihiligan at nag-eenjoy ako sa trabahong ito," he said.