LOS ANGELES- After months of anticipation, the Grand Finale, aka Pacquiao-Morales III, is finally near. ?Dalawang tulog na lang? as Jollibee loyalists would say. And while I still have to make my way back to Las Vegas, in time for today?s final press conference, the questions kept coming.
With a touch of little poetry, Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem asked, ?What?s your prediction, Will Morales mix it up and fall in six??
My kumpare Raul Rama of the Park and Go empire texted his concerns on how El Terrible might frustrate Pacman. ?Will Morales fight from a safe distance, use his stick of a jab to fend off Manny?s advances??
But a lot of my readers are less interested with strategy and round of culmination. They just want some reassurance as they embark on wagering serious money on the Pacquiao, picked by oddsmakers to win as a prohibitive -240 favorite, which simply means that a $240 bet on Manny wins only $100.
Well anyway, here?s my say. Erik?s survival will hinge largely on his ability to stay away from Manny?s line of fire, which is kind of hard to do given Pacquiao?s relentlessness. If he runs and guns, Erik will be in good shape. If he engages, he could go horizontal in six rounds or less.
I like Manny?s chances. He?s younger, stronger, faster. But nothing is guaranteed in boxing, a brutal sport where fate can change with one good punch. So here?s hoping that Manny doesn?t get too careless, and that he tames his bravado a little bit, especially in the early going when Erik?s blows carry the most sting.
Of course, I?m pulling for Manny, a friend and fellow Pinoy. But eager to watch a classic encounter between two of the world?s finest super featherweights, I?m also rooting for Erik Morales to make weight and climb the ring in superb physical condition.
Anything less than that will reduce the Grand Finale and into a Big Thud, a mismatch that Manny will dominate from pillar to post.
THANKS A LOT. Like my other big sports coverages, getting here for the Grand Finale meant that I have to raise my own funds for air travel, hotel accommodations and food.
Unlike my peers from larger newspapers of national circulation, I don?t have an expense account. I rely only on my sponsors and dear friends to help defray my expenses.
Although a few of my corporate backers begged off from sponsoring this trip, more than a handful did come to my side and lent their support. I wish to acknowledge them today.
First and foremost, my heartfelt thanks to lawyer Adelino Sitoy Jr., dean of the UC College of Law. Not only did Atty. Sitoy willingly lend his support, he did so by providing funds out of his own pocket. All for the love of sports.
?I?m a big fan of your work at Sun.Star Cebu as well as your NBA segment at dyAB with Leo Lastimosa,? Sitoy says. ?It?s my own, little way of saying thank you for entertaining us through the years.?
Thanks to the Park and Go Bakeshop. I can?t say this enough, the Rama family has been backing me since I became an NBA-accredited writer in 2001. Salamat kaayo.
Through it?s tireless manager, Engr. Dodong Casta?ares, a million thanks to Isuzu Cebu at Ayala Center. In this time of economic hardships, when a lot of companies practice parsimony in the dispensation of advertising money, I?m amazed that Engr. Casta?ares had somehow found a way to dole out precious moolah for my Pacquiao coverage.
Dr. Chic Ezpeleta, medical director at St. Joseph?s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois, are among the many friends who pooled their resources to make my trip happen. Thanks also my cousin Teddy Hubahib, who runs a booming Filipino store business out there in Michigan.
Nonoy Pena, an acocuntant in Las Vegas and a confessed fan of this column, vowed to provide additional support. I wish to thank him for that, too.
Here?s a rundown of my travel expenses, including money for food allowance. Airline tickets purchased on horribly short notice: $1165.00. Car rental: $451.00. Hotel accommodations: $735.00. My sponsors? support: Priceless.
P.S. Team Pacquiao submitted a list of 38 people who wanted access inside the ring during the fighters? introduction this Saturday night. Mercifully, the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied such request, allowing only five other people to join PacMan?s entourage.
Finally, Engr. Ismael ?Ma-ing? Magallon and Philip ?Eking? Ocampo, who are both here in LA, send their best regards to friends and family in Inayawan.
