PBA official sees easy win, says bout Arum stage show

MANILA, Philippines – “As he himself has been saying he loves basketball more than boxing,” said Tomas Alvarez, representative of the Mahindra team in the PBA board of governors.

Alvarez has no doubt Pacquiao will beat Jessie Vargas in their fight in Las Vegas today with the celebrated Filipino boxer expected to be back in the PBA with the Floodbusters.

“He really loves basketball,” said Alvarez of Pacquiao who is listed in the PBA roster as playing coach of the Floodbusters.

Mahindra had a breakthrough fifth-place finish in the last Governors Cup. But then the team curiously dealt away core players KG Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos, Paolo Taha and Bradwyn Guinto in recent trade deals.

Pacquiao played three games in the Governors Cup, coming through with a PBA first three-pointer in their 97-88 win over the Blackwater Elite. He has played nine games in all, collecting seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

The consensus among the PBA officials here is that Pacquiao will easily hurdle Vargas.

“The odds are heavily on Manny’s side. It really looks this match would be an easy one for Manny,” said Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy.

One PBA official said it well appears promoter Bob Arum is “stretching out Manny’s career.”

“He’s really trying to extend Manny’s career ,” the official said.