Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is back in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, this time supporting San Sebastian College.
The eight-time world champion is the new team manager of the Golden Stags, who are now under head coach John Kallos after the new tactician made the announcement on social media last Wednesday.
After the Stags missed the Final Four in Season 98 with an 8-10 win-loss record, the team replaced head coach Egay Macaraya with Kallos in the hopes of turning their fortunes around.
It’s no surprise Pacquiao will back San Sebastian as Kallos is the head coach of Sarangani Marlins, a team he owns, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
The 44-year-old Pacquiao, a noted sports patron, is no stranger to NCAA basketball.
In fact, Pacquiao was the team manager for Letran College in 2015 when the Knights, under head coach Aldin Ayo, won the NCAA Season 91 crown over bitter rival San Beda University.
All the players were also reportedly given P100,000 by Pacquiao as bonus for ruling the 2015 edition of the country’s oldest collegiate league.
The decision of Pacquiao to provide backup to the Stags should help the squad in its next campaign.
The last time the school won the NCAA crown was 14 years ago.
The Stags will have a whole year to prepare for Season 99 as they will try to get into the Final Four after making it the last time in Season 95.
San Sebastian still has the likes of Rhinwill Yambing, Jessie Sumoda and Kenneth Villapando on its roster.