Orton, who is Purefoods’ import for the 40th season of the Philippine Basketball Asociation (PBA), played his worst game in the series when he was troubled with fouls as he exited the game before the end of the last quarter against Kia Sorento (now Kia Carnival).
Kia Carnival won over Purefoods Hotshots 95-84.
Pacquiao is the playing coach of Kia Carnival, a new member of the PBA. Pacquiao’s entry in the PBA has been criticized by boxing as well as basketball fans who believe that the fighting congressman shouldn’t have played in the professional league.
Public perception indicate that Pacquiao may have used his power and influence to gain entry to the country’s only professional basketball league. Fans say he should concentrate more on his thriving boxing career where he is good at.
Orton first criticized the officiating saying the game is seriously a joke.
“This game is seriously a joke. The way the game was going, the refs took the game that I know and love and they made it into a mockery,” Orton said.
It was Kia Carnival team’s second win in the ongoing games. Their first win was against San Miguel Beer. Both teams (Purefoods and San Miguel) are former PBA champions. Read more:
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach said that time is running out for the planned Mayweather-Pacquiao fight on May 2.
“We are getting really close,” Roach said of reaching a cut-off for declaring a May 2 fight a reality. “I need eight weeks. That window is getting smaller and smaller.”
There are indications though that the long-awaited fight will get done and and announcement could be made within the week.
