THE Sports Vigilantes, a group of rabid sports aficionados, were still talking about Pacman over Radio dzME?s ?Usapang Sports? when I arrived at the station yesterday morning.
Even before I got settled in my seat, a question was immediately hurled at me. It set the tone of the entire one-and-half hour program.
?Who do you think is the rightful Pacquiao promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank or Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions??, they asked.
A dispute between the two groups has been hampering negotiations for Pacquiao?s next fight which could either be against knockout artist Edwin Valero of Venezuela or World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera whom he beat in San Antonio, Texas, in 2003.
I told them I didn?t have the answer. All I know is that Manny had signed up with both. He reportedly got a $500,000 signing bonus with Golden Boy and $l million with Top Rank.
* * *
Actually the situation is no longer new to Manny. He was in the same predicament just before his Grand Finale fight with Erik Morales, where Solar had signed a previous contract with Top Rank for that fight, while ABS-CBN had another contract with Manny Pacquiao Promotions for the same project.
Good thing all the parties concerned were willing to compromise, otherwise, legal suits would have been filed left and right.
Maybe Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya could go the same route, follow the same formula where everybody ends up winning, with Manny being the biggest winner of them all.
* * *
The Vigilantes and the listeners dissected Pacman?s every move, every issue that concerned him. They just couldn?t have enough.
They talked about the motorcade in Manila and why it had to be confined only in that city. Was it politically motivated?
Was I in favor of Pacquiao running for politics, specifically vice mayor of Manila. Were all those inside the studio in favor?
After weighing the pros and cons, mostly the latter, the consensus was No!
* * *
There were endless questions. Like, where was all that Pacquiao money being spent? Was at least even a small portion being donated to a good cause, like for example, a fund for retired and battered boxers who were less fortunate than the country?s icon?
The talks went round and round, touching every aspect, until finally one of the Vigilantes said he wanted to give his own personal analysis on why Morales lost to Pacquiao.
I couldn?t take it anymore. Before he could open his mouth, I shouted ?ENOUGH!?
I told everyone I?ve had the same diet morning, noon and night for one whole week and I was getting indigestion.
?Can we talk about another subject, please??, I pleaded.
* * *
They agreed. They immediately shifted the discussion to the PBA. To begin with, they wanted to know the real story behind the Joseph Yeo-Enrico Villanueva encounter at the Araneta parking lot.
Who provoked who, they asked, and who got the bum end of the setto? Was there a closure, sanctions?
I quoted the reports of firsthand witnesses, keeping the rest of the more vital information confidential.
The Vigilantes lauded the Sta. Lucia Realtors for their superlative performance this season, giving out the unanimous opinion that it is no longer a fluke. They also asked why Talk ?N Text, with its formidable lineup, seems to be riding on a roller coaster. They also tried to figure out why Coke gave away players like Rudy Hatfield and Rafi Reavis, only to find themselves dead last.
When the program was over, I heaved a sigh of relief. I was running out of answers to their endless questions.
