WILL Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao support San Sebastian College in the next NCAA cage wars?
This scenario appears likely after the Golden Stags tapped John Kallos, a good pal of the former senator, as new San Sebastian coach in lieu of Egay Macaraya.
Kallos, who also calls the shots for the Pacquiao-owned Sarangani squad in the MPBL, handed boxing’s only eight-division champion an honorary San Sebastian jersey yesterday.
In a Facebook story video, Kallos asked “Ano ang susuportahan mong team?”
Pacquiao replied, “San Sebastian!”
In another story, Kallos announced that Pacquiao will be the new team manager of the Stags as the former presidential candidate in the last elections signed the jersey given to him.
Pacquiao last backed a collegiate team in 2015 when he supported Letran under former tactician Aldin Ayo.
Macaraya served his alma mater for six years where San Sebastian reached the Final Four twice (2017 and 2019).
The Stags, however, struggled in the two tilts held last year.
San Sebastian finished with a 3-6 slate for eighth in the 97th tourney last summer.
The Recto-based five wound up with an 8-10 card last season, good for fifth, that proved to be Macaraya’s last hurrah.
Kallos was also a former Adamson University Lady Falcons strategist in the UAAP in 2017.
Behind a team bannered by the likes of Jimbo Aquino, Pamboy Raymundo, Calvin Abueva, and Ian Sangalang, the Stags last won a crown in 2009.
