Pacquiao Wants The Philippines To Focus On Combat Sports Instead Of Basketball

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Senator Pacquiao

Senator Manny Pacquiao told media sources that it is time for Philippine (PH) sports policymakers to focus on sports and events that Filipinos can win instead of sports that favor big and tall athletes. Pacquiao then ranted that the Philippines should focus more on weight-classed sports like boxing or MMA fighters. 

Pacquiao’s statement comes just days after two Filipino athletes won awards for gymnastics (Carlos Yugo) and boxing (Nesthy Petecio) and as the country prepares for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The SEA Games are scheduled to start on Saturday, November 30th, and will feature athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia. 

Pacquiao went on to say that he is very passionate about basketball, so much so that he started his league that limits how tall players can be. Basketball is huge in the Philippines, and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is the second oldest professional basketball league in the world. 

Basketball Popularity

Betting on basketball is also big in the Philippines. Filipinos have multiple ways that they can place a bet on NBA or PBA games. MegaSportsWorld is a domestic sportsbook with over a hundred locations in the Philippines. Most locations are just betting stations with no Philippine-based sports due to gambling laws that restrict betting on local events. 

Online sportsbooks that operate offshore are also allowed to offer betting lines to Philippine residents. These sportsbooks have fewer restrictions and can provide Philippine sports such as PBA games or SEA sports. You can also find esports betting lines and a bunch of other international options. 

There is no doubt that Manny Pacquiao is one of the Philippine’s all-time greatest athletes. His rise to the Senate was due in part to his popularity stemming from his boxing success. Manny recently turned 40 and has stated that his boxing career will soon be coming to an end as he is pondering retirement from the sport.

There are also rumors that a Mayweather/Pacquiao rematch could be happening. If this fight does happen, it will likely be Manny’s last fight. Mayweather retired in 2015 but has since fought Conor McGregor and brought his professional boxing record to 50-0.

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