BOXING legend Manny Pacquiao is set to celebrate his birthday in style as he gifts players from and around the island of Leyte with the precious opportunity to showcase their skills in the inaugural Emmanuel Pacquiao Cup basketball tournament on Dec. 17.
The basketball festival is being done in celebration of the eight-division world champion’s 37th birthday. More importantly, this is Pacquiao’s way of giving the players from the region the chance to put their talents on display in the hopes of getting an opportunity to move up to the next level.
“Sa Leyte, daghan maayu manuwa but less ang opportunities. Then ang uban dili na muari diri Cebu because less fortunate jud lagi. Mao nagpa-liga si Manny (Pacquiao) didto para makatabang ug discover ug new talent,” relayed Roy Jumao-as, a close friend and confidante of the boxing megastar.
The tournament has attracted 14 teams coming from Baybay City, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, three teams from Maasin City, two teams from Sugod, Macrohon and Burgos.
The champion squad will receive P50,000 while the second-placer goes home P30,000 richer. The third and fourth-placed squads will get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Teams that don’t finish in the top four will also receive P5,000 each. The participating squads will all don uniforms provided by Pacquiao himself.
Jumao-as also added that Pacquiao will stage a tournament here in Cebu after the Leyte competition.