There are a lot of things to look forward to for Tuesday’s pivotal Group A clash between Gilas Pilipinas and Italy’s Azzurri on Tuesday.
Of course, the host team will figure in the biggest game of their lives as it fights for dear life in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Then there’s the clash between Utah teammates Jordan Clarkson and Simone Fontecchio.
Yet, amidst these storylines, there’s an intriguing side story: the potential meeting of Italy’s head coach, Gianmarco Pozzeco, with his idol, Manny Pacquiao.
On Monday, the local organizing committee revealed that the world’s only eight-division world champion had secured his ticket for the game scheduled to tip off at 8:00 p.m.
For Pozzeco, it will be a dream come true.
Ever since arriving in the Philippines last week, the charismatic 50-year-old Italian consistently expressed his aspiration to meet Pacquiao.
“Where is Manny Pacquiao? Why didn’t he come? Is he afraid of me?” he humorously quipped.
“I was a big fan of Pacquiao when he fought with Mayweather. I was so sad. Do you know somebody who knows him? My number is 335. Tell him to call me okay?”
Pozzeco was ejected during Italy’s 87-82 loss to the Dominican Republic last Sunday.
Fortunately for him, FIBA does not impose suspensions for such infractions, paving the way for the long-anticipated meeting on Tuesday.
