Oakland, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Something unprecedented happened to Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao during his visit this week to California.

Many people know that the Philippine congressman’s second love and passion next to boxing is basketball. Just recently, he was appointed as playing coach for the KIA Sorentos, the newest professional team to join the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Filipino counterpart of the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA).

Today, the Golden State Warriors announced that it has drafted Pacquiao to join its  NBA team.  The Warriors are based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the NBA’s Western Conference.

The Warriors were very impressed with Pacquiao’s basketball skills during an impromptu practice game he had with the American team at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. The rest is history. Pacquiao left the arena with a signed three-year contract with the Warriors.

“It’s a dream come true,” Pacquiao told reporters in his native Tagalog.  “I will show the Warriors that they did not make a mistake in picking me.”

As a result of his new contract, Pacquiao said he is stepping down as playing coach of the KIA Sorentos so that he can focus on the NBA. That is, in addition to his boxing career and his duties as an elected legislator.