Pia Wurtzbach meets Manny Pacquiao in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – It was one epic encounter as Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach and Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao met in one venue.

On Thursday, Pacquiao was back in the Philippines after his win last Sunday against Timothy Bradley Jr.

Pia, meanwhile, is in the country to pass on the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe crown on Sunday, April 17.

“I was very happy to be present earlier. I admire him as boxer,” Pia said about her quick encounter with Pacquiao before her press conference on Thursday.

She added that in their quick chat, the boxing champ told her how emotional he and his wife, Jinkee, when host Steve Harvey made a blunder in announcing her the pageant's first runner-up.

In return, she told him about her tweet last year vowing to make things right at the Miss Universe competition after Pacquiao lost in his bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao gave her a “Miss Universe Pink” boxing gloves as a sign of his appreciation for the pride Pia brought to the country.

The crowned Miss Universe said she also admires Pacquiao as a boxer.

“I’m still proud of him as a boxer,” she said. “Even if we have different opinions on some things, but we’re both Filipinos and as a fellow Filipino, I was proud of his victory for the Philippines.”

Pia was referring to differences in opinion she and Manny have on same-sex marriage. Pacquiao was slammed by the LGBT community for his comments against same-sex marriage earliert this year.