By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has pledged his support to the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags in the upcoming NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament 2023 season.
It was SSC-R head coach John Andrew Kallos who announced the major development after posting a photo with Pacquiao with a signed Stags jersey.
The basketball tactician then captioned his post: “Ano ang susuportahan mong team? San Sebastian!” posted in one of his Facebook stories.
Kallos followed up his announcement with another major turnaround, involving Pacquiao as the team’s new team manager.
His relationship with Pacquiao began after being named as the chief orchestrator of the Pacman-owned Sarangani team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Pacquiao’s name inked with SSC-R is their first step in their preparation for Season 99 in another quest of reclaiming NCAA glory that was once theirs during the Calvin Abueva era.
San Sebastian has won a total of 12 championship titles in the NCAA with the last coming off an impressive run last 2009-2010 season.
The last time Pacquiao supported an NCAA team was when coach Aldin Ayo steered the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights to a championship last Season 91.
Pacquiao’s sponsorship was under his business MP Hotel which played a big role in the team’s finances including their 2015 PBA D-League stint.
Boxing’s only eight-division world champion formed a strong committee with San Miguel Corporation (SMC) sports director and tycoon Al Francis Chua during that year.
