Team Pacquiao bows to Team Fade

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Team Pacquiao yielded to Team Fade, 93-99, in a well-attended exhibition game at the Al Nasr Sports Club’s Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall here on Monday night.

Powered by legendary Fadi El Khatib and Lebanese superstar Wael Arakji, the selection put up by international influencer Kris Fade, outscored the pickup squad of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in a two-minute span in the homestretch to prevail.

The 6-foot-6 Khatib, who led Lebanon to four FIBA Asia Champions Cup titles in his prime, proved unstoppable with 42 points, 24 rebounds, five assists and one block without a turnover in a no-relief stint.

El Khatib, now 45 and around 260 pounds, got support from the 6-foot-4 Arakji, the Most Valuable Player of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup, with 31 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals. Said Ahmad backed them up with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Wilson Baltazar, a member of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns who are here to face the Quezon Huskers in the MPBL Sixth Season National Finals, posted 27 points, 10 rebounds and two steals for Team Pacquiao, which didn’t have a single scrimmage together.

Joshua dela Cruz, also from Pampanga, tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds, followed by David Sisson with 14 points, eight assists, two rebounds and two blocks.

MPBL operations head Emmer Oreta notched 13 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one block while MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes chipped in five points, three rebounds and two assists, tailing his son, Andrei, who chalked seven points, three assists, one rebound and a steal.

Pacquiao, who is used to playing without relief, saw action for only nine minutes after injuring his right calf and settled for a lone triple and one rebound for the squad coached by Philippine Basketball Association legend Rudy Distrito.