The eight-time world champion launches his own eSports organisation — Team Pacquiao GG.
Boxing great Manny Pacquiao has announced the launch of his own eSports team, Team Pacquiao GG, becoming the latest athlete to venture into the eSports world. The team currently do not plan to launch with a professional squad, though, and will run events in the SEA eSports scene to start with.
Team Pacquiao GG have five well-known faces, all of whom are renowned Filipino eSports athletes — Gian Lois ‘GLOCO’ Concepcion, Een Mercado, Elyson ‘GHOST Wrecker’ Caranza, Kimberlee ‘superkimbie’ Arcillas, and Shin Boo “sh1nboo” Ponferrada.
The organisation will initially focus on the grassroots level and develop the local scene through small competitions and charity events in the Philippines. Pacquiao has announced that he wants the organisation to become the ‘national team’ of the Philippines.
Pacquiao spoke on the occasion of the launch, commenting:
“We are launching Team Pacquiao to sow the seed of Filipino excellence in Filipino esports competition.
“Most Filipinos identify gaming as a hobby and a possible addiction for younger people that must be supervised, but not anymore. Esports is not just an online phenomenon, but also a legitimate growing sports industry, with a lot of job and business opportunities.
“Esports is the future, and I am happy to be a part.”
Pacquiao’s son and musician, Michael Pacquiao, added:
“I was shocked. My dad usually doesn’t talk about games.
“I’ll be mostly playing Valorant. I just started like last year, it was really addicting.”
While GLOCO, a popular YouTube star, will be the team’s lead content creator, Sh1nboo will be the content host and shoutcaster.
The former boxing great has also mentioned that his son, Michael, will be one of the coaches on the team.
Ryan Tveter, director of commercial strategy at Veloce, who are one of the partners, added:
“Team Pacquiao GG is a gaming, esports, lifestyle, and content brand led by Manny Pacquiao, and powered by Veloce.”
Team Pacquiao GG’s pro eSports team and franchises will be launched in the second quarter of 2022, while Team Pacquiao GG Academy will be launched in the following quarter after that.
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