Will there be a Manny Pacquiao, Robert Jaworski team-up when upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) expansion team Kia Motors finalize its complete draft?
Rumor has it that KIA Motors’team manager Eric Pineda has confirmed that Jaworski’s name has indeed been mentioned by management, though talks are not yet definite.
He, however, has yet to clarify the post to be offered to former Ginebra coach, "Big J," after KIA Motors agreed to have Pacquiao as playing coach.
KIA Motors will be one of three PBA newcomers.
Pacquiao is reportedly eyeing former GlobalPort coach Glenn Capacio as one of his assistants.
However, according to ABS-CBN news, the team still needs to address the league’s drafting procedures. Based on PBA rules, Pacquiao will have to go through the Rookie Draft if he wants to play in the PBA. Thus, he may not end up with KIA Motors since other teams can draft him first.
“Ang batas ng PBA na ginawa noong 1975 pa is that, sa salita ni Commissioner Chito Salud, all rookies must have passed through the draft system,” sports columnist Al Mendoza earlier explained.
“Si Manny Pacquiao ay considered na rookie pagpumasok sa PBA. ‘Pag coach walang ganun, okay kaagad 'pag coach ka. Pero kung maglalaro ka, dadaan ka pa rin sa rookie draft system ika nga.”