MANNY PACQUIAO ended his boxing career with a bang last week in Las Vegas, when he scored a unanimous decision victory over Tim Bradley of the United States. Thus curtains for one of the greatest boxing career this world has ever seen, a career gutted out by a Filipino who came from very humble roots to become one of his country?s wealthiest and influential people. Pacquiao the boxer will surely be in his sport?s Hall of Fame, whether he decides to really call it quits after the Bradley fight or come up with one last hurrah. The Representative from Saranggani, who is gunning for a seat in the Senate in the national polls on May 9, certainly did the Philippines proud in the world of boxing. There have been reports that Pacquiao is not about to retire, not just yet. Though all unconfirmed, Pacquiao certainly has the legs and the hands to continue to dominate in the world of prizefighting. But at this time, only Pacquiao ? or maybe a very few people very close to him ? knows what?s up as far as his boxing career is concerned. Whether he walks into the sunset or not, it will be a career worth remembering, not just by Filipinos, but of boxing fans all over the world. Pacquiao is what Kobe Bryant is to basketball, when everyone would remember the ?Black Mamba? as one of the best to have ever played the game, when everyone would be thanking the Good Lord for being alive during his career. *** In the PBA press room, reporters were talking and wondering ? in all seriousness ? on what Pacquiao?s next plans could be. Though some of our peers who are close to the ?PacMan? have yet to rejoin us in the PBA coverage, we were left pondering on what Pacquiao?s decision could be. Reports coming out of the United States said that Pacquiao will use retirement to spend more time with his family and concentrate on basketball more. It wasn?t really specified what he would do in basketball, though one of his options is to go back to Mahindra, sit on the bench and act as a coach, or, resume a playing career that has been maligned ever since it began. Spin.ph, one of country?s leading sports websites, reported on this possible decision of Pacquiao and asked, in its headline: ?Good news or bad news?? Pacquiao is making a serious run at a seat in the Senate and has too much on his hands ? even if he decides to retire from boxing. He should leave the PBA to bonafide basketball players and coaching to those who have given blood, sweat and tears just to be able to call the shots respectably in the PBA. In the last Congress, there were reports that Pacquiao was able to attend just four of, if memory serves, 32 total sessions. How can one supposed lawmaker say that he did his job the right way with an attendance record like that? *** Winning a seat in the Senate is very achievable for Pacquiao, what with his popularity and the timing of the Bradley fight to give him an advantage against the others vying for one of 12 seats. Should Pacquiao win, he will become the first player in PBA history to be a coach and a Senator at the same time, eclipsing the achievement of the great Sonny Jaworski and Freddie Webb, who were both retired from the league before becoming legislators. And if he does win, can Pacquiao attend more sessions in the Senate compared to his stint in the Lower House? Pacquiao will continue to be a celebrity way after he retires from boxing. He will forever be known as Pacquiao the boxer and never as Pacquiao the Congressman. Even if he goes on to become a Senator, his accomplishments in the ring will forever be his biggest feats. And what can he do to forever be remembered as a pro basketball player other than embarrass himself? The Filipino people know basketball players when they see one. The Filipino can never be fooled when it comes to the game we love the most. The PBA will do very fine with Pacquiao out of it.
