Manny embraced by fans like a winner

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao, who was mugged by Cuban Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas, was mobbed by his die-hard supporters upon his arrival from Los Angeles before dawn yesterday.

The Philippine Airlines jumbo jet that carried Pacquiao and his entourage touched down at the NAIA Terminal 2 shortly after 3 a.m. By that time, his supporters had waited outside the airport.

Pacquiao was greeted by cheers from those waving placards and holding streamers, and wearing shirts with the words “Laban, Pacman, Laban,” “MP4P” and “Man of Destiny” written on them.

The 42-year-old senator, who bowed to his taller and bigger Cuban foe via unanimous decision, faced mediamen before boarding a vehicle that took him and his entourage to Conrad Manila for quarantine.

“Pasensiya na kayo at hindi tayo nagwagi (I apologize we did not win),” he told his supporters.

“Pero at least, lumaban tayo. Hindi tayo sumuko (But we put up a good fight. We did not surrender),” added the eight-division boxing champion who is planning to run for president in the 2022 elections.

Surrounded by bodyguards and overzealous supporters, Pacquiao said he was surprised by the warm welcome despite his failure to bring home the WBA (super) welterweight crown.

“Hindi ko akalain na sasalubong sila ng ganito. Sabi ko, tahimik lang dahil talo naman tayo (I did not expect such welcome. I wanted it to be quiet because we lost),” he said.

“Laki ng pasalamat ko dahil para na rin akong nanalo,” Pacquiao, in a brown Louis Vuitton jacket, said.

Briefly, some pushing and shoving took place when the welcomers, who failed to observe social distancing in a bid to get near Pacquiao, thought there was money about to be distributed among them.

Pacquiao will spend 10 days in quarantine in the bayside hotel where the boxer had booked seven rooms.

He said before leaving Los Angeles that he will ponder on his next move as a boxer and politician and will make an announcement by the second week of September or a month before the deadline for the filing of candidacy on Oct. 8