Manny Pacquiao Warned: No Special Treatment In Pro Ball Stint

At least two players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) have fired early warning shots to Manny Pacquiao with regards to his participation in the pro basketball league in the Philippines.

“You can’t allow him to take a shot or penetrate in front of you. (Manny Pacquiao) is the rookie and I am the veteran. I won’t be afraid to play my game on him.” Beau Belga, a 250-pound forward/center in the league, said in Filipino via spin.ph.

“I have no intention to hurt him but I’ll bring my game against him. I can’t change my style because he’s Manny Pacquiao.”

Belga is a known bruiser in the Philippine pro basketball league and have been involved in multiple altercations against opponents in his PBA career.

Here’s a quick search of Belga highlights on video-sharing site YouTube:

(YouTube/D' PBA ZONE)

(YouTube/jasphersupervideo)

(YouTube/D' PBA ZONE)

In August 2014, another PBA player, Enrico Villanueva, who is also known as a physical player like Belga, also shared his thoughts about Manny Pacquiao's entry to their league and promised sweet nothings:

"I'm definitely switching with the guard when pacquiao asks for a pick n roll!" Villanueva declared.

Pacquiao is an eight-weight division world champion and is known for his toughness— but that comes inside the ring and not on a basketball court.

Manny Pacquiao was drafted into the league by an expansion team, Kia Sorentos and will playing in the 2014 PBA Season which begins ply in October. The 35-year-old Pacquiao is also the head coach of the ball club.

Pacquiao fans and boxing enthusiasts are worried that the Filipino boxer may be losing focus for his next fight. The Filipino is set to fight American Chris Algieri on Nov. 22 in Macau.

With promises of tough competition by tough players weeks ahead of his basketball debut, Manny Pacquiao may have to think twice about playing top-level basketball as the boxing star may take a major hit or two if the PBA veterans deliver on their promise to give Pacquiao a real challenge on the hardcourt.