MANILA, Philippines – At the risk of facing suspension from the PBA, Senator Manny Pacquiao will not be playing in the UNTV Cup basketball tournament, according to Aquiles Zonio, Public Information Officer to Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is under contract as playing coach for the Mahindra Enforcer in the pro league, which means he is not allowed to play in any other league outside of the PBA.
"They asked us if he can. We checked the rules and he cannot," explained league commissioner Chito Narvasa on Sunday, August 28.
"Because as long as you have a live contract with the PBA as a player, you cannot play for any other league. It's exclusively for the PBA. The only time he can play for another league is if he terminates or he resigns and leaves the PBA, he cannot come back."
If Pacquiao plays, he may face suspension and a fine.
"We will have to suspend him from the league," Narvasa said. "I think there's also a fine. I have to check the rules. I don't know, I'm not too familiar. This is an unusual case. I don't think there was any player who wanted to play for any other league simultaneously. It's unusual so we have to study it."
Pacquiao, an 8-division boxing champion, was tapped to be part of the Senate Defenders in the 5th edition of the UNTV Cup, a charity basketball tournament comprised of teams formed from various government agencies.
The Senate Defenders will have senators Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva as team captains. In a press release on Friday, August 26, Pacquiao was said to be practicing with the team twice a week over the past month.
Villanueva was a former player for the UST Growling Tigers and also the RP Youth Team in the SEABA tourney in 1990. Senators Bam Aquino and Win Gatchalian are also part of the team, while Senate Minority Leader Ralph Rector will be a playing team manager.
Each team in the UNTV Cup chooses a beneficiary or a charity to support with their winnings and consolation prizes.
The tournament opens Monday, August 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com