Daniel Orton kicked off Philippine basketball team for ‘insulting’ Manny Pacquiao

All those who are currently employed by the Philippine Basketball Association need to understand that insulting Manny Pacquiao could cost you your job.

Daniel Orton, a former Kentucky player who was drafted by the Orlando Magic, was kicked out of the Philippine Basketball Association earlier this week when he made a comment about Pacquiao that was perceived as derogatory. After playing in a local pro-league game against Pacquiao, Orton, who plays for the Purefoods Hotshots, joked that the 5-foot-6 boxer’s skills on the court are not that impressive.

“Professional boxer, yeah, okay … professional basketball player, no,” Orton said, according to the AFP. “It’s a joke.”

Pacquiao scored a single point in the game. It’s pretty much understood that he got a job as a player-coach with Kia Carnival because of his boxing fame, but apparently pointing that out is a big no-no.

“Everyone is angry at (Orton),” Purefoods top administrator Rene Pardo told local media outlets. “It is like he went to the United States and insulted the name of Martin Luther King.”

If you’re curious how Pacquiao looks on the court, here’s a highlight video:

PBA commissioner Chito Salud described Orton’s comments as “insulting behavior” and said they will not be tolerated. Orton was fined $5,650 in addition to being kicked out of the league.

As we recently saw, Pacquiao takes his relationship with his Filipino fans very seriously. Apparently the feeling is mutual.