Philippines, 19 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO PRAISES PHIL?S SEA GAMES PERFORMANCE


PhilBoxing.com




Eight-division world boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Mannny Pacquiao paid tribute to the Philippine delegation's modest 29-gold medal harvest and sixth overall finish in the recently-ended 28th Southeast Asian Games.

Instead of joining the many voices denouncing the Filipino athletes' performances as a debacle, Pacquiao, for his part, lauded such showing as indicative of what's in store for the country in future international competitions including next year's Olympic Games in Brazil.

"For the mere fact that this year's medal winners are new faces that, therefore, represent the future of Philippine sports, I consider our athletes' feats as very successful in terms of investment in the coming international commitments," Pacquiao, known also as the "Pacman," diagnosed.

"Truth to tell, I was expecting old names like Mark Anthony Barriga and Charlie Suarez in boxing, Eduardo Buenavista and Maristella Torres in athletics, Tac Padilla in shooting, to mention a few, as in many years, to adorn our list of medalists," Pacquiao told this writer in an interview at his Forbes Park Friday night.

"But to my surprise, what I saw were new faces like M. Claire Adorna and Nikka Bryan Huelas in triathlon, Eric Shawn Cray and Kayla Richardson in track and field and Mario Fernandez,, Eumir Felix Marcial, Junel Cantancio and Ian Clark Bautista, all in boxing and Marella Salamat in cycling, among others, leading our campaign," Pacquiao said.

"What I mean is, mga bago na ito, names unheard the past editions of the SEA Games," he said with glow in his eye in the presence of chess Grandmaster Eugene Torre, who led a group of pawnpushers who paid him a visit that night, "This means Philippine sports is not dead as many of our countrymen and even several sports leaders have claiming."

I'm glad, really of the results, especially in my event boxing where we bagged five gold medals. Magandang balita yan sa campagin natin for ouR first Olympic gold medal next year in Rio de Janeiro," he exclaimed.

"Well, hanggang ngayon naman eh alam nating lahat na ang pinakamalaking pagasa natin sa first Olymic gold ay sa boksing, kaya I'm elated na mayroon tayong mga ganitong mga batang bagong discovery na may panahon a para ma-train ng maayos," Pacquiao, who was reported as to have been appointed as chair of the lower House's committee on the country's participation sin the 2016 Summer Games, said.

The father of five with wife, Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee, confessed though of his ignorance on th naTure of such an appointment announced by House Speaker Belmonte about a month ago.

"Actually, I really still is at a loss on the nature of that appointment, which, onestly speaking, I haven't seen," he admitted. "Whatever is the situation, however, I just would like to make it official that whatever help is needed to help in attaining that long dream of us , I am very willing to lend my hand."

"Especially in boxing where I spent almost half of my life the past 20 or so years travelling to the world boxing capitals and establishing rapport with the leaders of amateur boxing, who, I'm sure, are also willing to help," he said.

"Kung paanong mate-train natin ang ating mga boksingero ayon sa latest technique, I can even talk to Freddie (Roach) na ma-avail natin ang facilities ng wild Card Gym kung saan ay maraming topnotch trainer na makatulong," the three-time Fighter of the Year," offered.

That, Pacquiao added, would also benefit local coaches and trainers who could learn through an exchange program with their highly-gifted counterparts.

"Lessons, which they can transfer to their young and promising Filipino pupils," Pacquiao observed. "Not only in boxing, we also have so many contacts in other sports in regards to other sports as shooting swimming, taekwondo, and even badminton, tennis and others.'

"As I said, we can use the results of the recent SEA Games as an investment for our future international commitments in sports," Pacquiao said.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.