PBA respects Roach’s no-play directive to Pacquiao

THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will respect the decision of trainer Freddie Roach not to allow his ward Manny Pacquiao to play basketball four weeks before his fight with unbeaten American Chris Algieri. Pacquiao is set to make a debut as playing head coach of KIA Sorento in the 40th season of the PBA set to unfold on October 19 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Pacquiao (56-5-2 win-loss-draw record with 38 knockouts) and Algieri, the defending WBO junior welterweight titleholder, is set to clash on November 23, at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Hotel in Macau.