Manny Pacquiao played pick-up basketball with Dubai-based West V-PGW team at GEMS Wellington International School in Al Barsha on Tuesday night.

In the short video taken by Dubai resident Arnel Fernandez, commissioner of PBBL, Pacquiao exhibited his nifty basketball skills.

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According to Nonoy Sayon, team captain of West V-PGW, Pacquiao scored at least 20 points including five triples in a game which lasted for just under an hour. He said Pacquiao should really be defended well on the court, “otherwise he will shoot in front of you; and he can drop buckets.”

“Playing with him (Pacquiao) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and he’s a very humble person,” added Sayon, a former professional basketball player in the Philippines who suited up for Negros Slashers and Cebu Gems.

Aside from Sayon, those who played for West V-PGW are Dubai residents Edu Allado, Dexter Tabiano, BJ Javellona, Al Federiso and Reymund Resquites. The team was coached by Rudolph Ganzon and managed by Boy Galvez.

Pacquiao’s former team mate at Kia Sorento, Eder Saldua, who now lives in Dubai, was on Team Pacquiao as well as Filipino expats Ruzell Tamayo, Dave Nasiad and Jojo Cagampang.

Sayon said the winning team received a US$1,000 cash prize from Pacquiao after the game.

Pacquiao’s professional basketball team in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), Mahindra Enforcers, will face Alaska Aces on Friday 6th November at Al Wasl Club.

By Jose Maria Santos