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Manny Pacquiao makes pro basketball debut in Philippines

Kia Sorento player-coach Manny Pacquiao tries to split the double-team defense of Blackwater Elite during his pro basketball debut on Oct. 19.
(Noel Celis / AFP / Getty Images)

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao made his professional basketball debut on Sunday in the Philippine Basketball Assn., and the best thing that can be said is that the player-coach led his team to a victory.

He did so primarily by staying off the court in Kia Sorento’s 80-66 victory over Blackwater Elite.

At 5 feet 6, Pacquiao isn’t exactly built for basketball, which is the No. 1 sport in the Philippines followed closely by boxing.

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Pacquiao started and played less than seven minutes, failing to score while committing two turnovers.

He will now take a break from basketball to concentrate on boxing.

Pacquiao (56-5-2) will defend his World Boxing Organziation welterweight title against Chris Algieri (20-0) on Nov. 22 in Macau.

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