Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco celebrates along with his gamers after their comeback win over Serbia within the Fiba World Cup second spherical. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco devoted Italy’s come-from-behind 78-76 win over Serbia within the Fiba World Cup second spherical to Manny Pacquiao.
Pozzecco, who has been asking to fulfill Pacquiao since he arrived in Manila final week, received his want granted after the eight-division world boxing champion invited him to his home in Forbes Park, Makati on the eve of their match in opposition to Serbia.
Pozzecco, whose staff improved to a 3-1 report in Group I behind Simone Fontecchio’s 30-point explosion, was nonetheless on cloud 9 after assembly his idol and their large win over World No.6 Serbia.
“I dedicate this victory to Pacquiao,” Pozzecco advised reporters.
“He’s so [a] good particular person. We spent like little time as a result of I had a sport tonight however he invited me to his home for dinner and we performed chess, I misplaced. He’s a tremendous particular person. He represents you guys. You’re to be happy with them and he’s to be happy with you.”
“I’ll always remember this in my life. I really like him earlier than and now much more,” he added.
Pozzecco couldn’t imagine a boxing legend would invite him to his home after joking about setting a meet-up and a match for each of them a few occasions within the nation’s internet hosting of the World Cup.
Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco all smiles as he poses for an image with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Picture from Manny Pacquiao’s Fb
“I used to be joking. I’m actually a fan of Manny as a result of I really like boxing. I used to be actually a fan of him. A few occasions, I stated I desired to fulfill him, and it was true, however I didn’t anticipate him that he’d invite me to his home for dinner,” Pozzecco stated.
“It’s actually one thing superb. Simply because I stated a few occasions in the course of the interview: Hey I wanna meet Pacquiao. Why he doesn’t come? Is he afraid? That is one thing that in our nation isn’t potential to potential that one enormous star, a legend within the historical past of sports activities, invite one fool like me to his home simply because I stated one thing.”
Pozzecco gifted the Filipino boxer an Italy jersey with “Pacquiao” on the again throughout his go to, expressing that Pacquiao represents the Filipino individuals, whom he described as superb and wonderful.
“I got here right here to the Philippines and you’re all so beautiful guys. So beautiful individuals. I really like you. Then one second, I began to speak about one man that represents you on the planet, after all, it’s Manny Pacquiao,” he stated. “Yesterday night time, it occurred, and you need to be happy with him, all of you Filipinos, as a result of he’s a tremendous particular person. Superb. He’s actually humble and he shocked me as a result of he’s a real legend within the historical past of sports activities, not simply with Filipinos or with boxing.”
Apart from Pozzecco, Dominican Republic star Karl-Anthony Cities and Golden State Warriors gamers Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney additionally visited Pacquiao’s home.
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