Pacquiao stars' star in PSA rites

MANILA, Philippines - Everybody wanted a piece of Manny Pacquiao during the glittery PSA Awards Night last Saturday at the Manila Hotel.

From sports officials to his fellow athletes, the ordinary fan and even mediamen, they all wanted their pictures taken with the world’s most exciting fighter.

They got what they wanted. From the moment he stepped inside the hall and on his way out, the boxing superstar drew much of the attention.

“The PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) holds a special place in my heart,” said the 33-year-old fighting congressman from Sarangani.

The eight-division world champion is a regular fixture at the PSA Awards. Five times from 2002 to 2008 he received the coveted Athlete of the Year award.

Last year he was elevated to the PSA Hall of Fame. It can’t go any higher than that.

Pacquiao took time out from his very busy schedule, and in fact had to rush from Quezon City following his live television game show to be with the PSA honorees.

He arrived halfway through the program, and was ushered to the presidential table to join Vice President Jejomar Binay, POC chief Jose Cojuangco and IOC representative Frank Elizalde.

Former Gintong Alay chief Jose Romasanta, Philippine Sports Commission’s Salvador Andrada and PSA president Rey Bancod were also at the table.

More than a couple of times, Pacquiao and the Vice President whispered to each other’s ears.  It must be politics.

Reports rang out last year that if Binay shoots for the presidency in 2016, Pacquiao would run as his vice president. But the plan was shot down because of Pacquiao’s ineligibility.

By the time the next presidential polls are held, Pacquiao would only be 37, three years short of the age requirement for presidential and vice presidential aspirants.

But there’s a possibility that the age requirement will be lowered to 35, if passed by Congress and signed by the President. Nobody knows what Binay and Pacquiao had in mind Saturday evening.

On his way out of the hotel, Pacquiao talked about his next fight against Timothy Bradley, set June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

It’s not an easy fight for Pacquiao, who will stake his WBO welterweight crown against the undefeated American, younger at 28 years old but an inch shorter at 5-foot-6.

Pacquiao said he can’t wait to put his training gear on.

“Simulan na natin (Let’s get it going),” he told The STAR. “I want to train at least eight weeks for this fight. We’ll do three weeks in Baguio and five in Los Angeles.”

It’s been four months now since Pacquiao fought his last fight, a close shave against Juan Manuel Marquez, and by the time he climbs the ring against Bradley it’ll be seven months.

“It’s been quite a while since I last fought. So we need to train hard for this. Maybe I can start running (road work) later this month,” he said.

He was asked about Floyd Mayweather’s recent rants on the Internet.

“Bayaan mo siya (Let him be),” said Pacquiao.

Then he hopped inside his black Escalade. And he was gone for the night. (Report by Abac Cordero/Video by Cris Cayanan)