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Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday he would promote the Philippines' bid to host the 2019 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup.
"Yes, I'm going to Tokyo with the Philippine delegation to help in our bid to host FIBA 2019," he said in a statement.
Pacquiao, 36, said he would travel next month to the Japanese capital where FIBA would announce the host.
The basketball-crazy Philippines qualified for last year's FIBA World Cup in Spain, finishing 21st.