Pacquiao absent again as KIA Sorentos unveil PBA lineup
Manny Pacquiao, head coach of the KIA Sorentos and a member of their lineup, was not with the team during the unveiling of the team roster held Sunday at the fifth Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) at the World Trade Center in Pasay.
KIA will feature players returning PBA players Rich Alvarez, Rudy Lingganay, Chad Alonzo, Reil Cervantes, Hans Thiele, and LA Revilla.
They also have Michael Burtscher and Chito Jaime, players they got from the dispersal draft.
Rookies Alvin Padilla, Joshua Webb, Kenneth Ighalo, Bogs Raymundo, Paul Sanga, Eder Saldua, and JR Buensuceso complete their lineup.
Alvarez, the top overall pick in 2004, is the most veteran player on the roster. Burtscher, who last played for Air21, is the tallest at six feet, six inches.
Noticeably absent from the lineup was Rene Pacquiao, the boxer’s cousin. The taller and younger Pacquiao did not crack the lineup but will stay with the team as a practice player.
San Beda’s Kyle Pascual is also set to join the team after he wraps up his NCAA career. Pascual has already agreed in principle to a three-year deal with the expansion team.
Because of his extremely busy schedule, Pacquiao has missed some of the recent activities for the team. He flew out to Macau for promotional activities during the 2014 PBA Draft where he was selected.
He was also absent for KIA’s recent practice games as he had to oversee a billiards competition in General Santos City.
The eight-division and current WBO welterweight champion is currently doing light training in preparation for his title defense against Chris Algieri in Macau this November, which could be the reason why he missed the unveiling.
