Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao during the press conference for "Physical: Asia." Screengrab: Netflix K-Content/YouTube
MANILA — Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is proud to have a "complete" team as the Philippines is set to participate in Netflix's "Physical: Asia."
In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Pacquiao, boxing's only eight-time world champion, expressed his confidence in the Pinoy team composed of Mark "Mugen" Striegl, a Fil-Am sambo athlete; strongman Ray Jefferson Querubin; national team rugby player Justin Coveney; national team hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown; and crossfit standout Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag.
READ: Manny Pacquiao captains Team Philippines in Netflix’s ‘Physical: Asia’
Pacquiao flaunted about his squad's ability to "strategize," ready to confront the hurdles in the eight-nation, 48-athlete sports reality show.
"Kumpleto kami dahil may malakas kami, may mabilis kami, at saka may mga plano kami. Magaling magplano 'yung mga kasama ko. We can strategize lahat ng mga gagawin namin para manalo sa bawat challenge," said Pacquiao.
The former Philippine senator also expressed excitement about participating, citing his fondness for the show and the high-quality athletes they will be facing.
READ: Manny Pacquiao joins Netflix's 'Physical: Asia'
Nations joining the contest are the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Australia.
"Pinakana-excite ako nung binalita sa 'kin is 'yung mga challenge na dadaanan namin, [haharapin] namin, iba't-ibang challenge because of... in the past, nanonood ako ng show, e napakaganda," he said.
"Excited ako dito sa Physical Asia kasi I know 'yung challenge dito, napakahigpit at very competitive talaga. Especially, sa lahat ng participants din, malalakas din, athletes din sila sa iba't ibang bansa. It's gonna be exciting," he added.
Meanwhile, producer Jang Ho-gi revealed how he got Pacquiao's nod to join the series.
"In order to invite Manny, we reached out multiple times. I was very grateful because he invited us to his home, and he told us that he had been a big fan of the show and he was actually watching the show, and he had been analyzing each moment. so I was grateful that he said yes," the producer said, as translated into English.