GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Manny Pacquiao is throwing his all-out support to the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines? (ABAP) quest to discover the country?s Olympic gold medal hopeful.
Pacquiao, deep in training in Los Angeles for his fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez next month in Las Vegas, dispatched a seven-man squad to compete in the on-going ABAP slugfest for Mindanao, including lightweight Jonel Dapidran, a second cousin of Pacquiao.
At press time, three have reached the semifinals round, according to Pacquiao?s amateur coach Baby Tinagsa, who is handling the team that is representing Sarangani province where Pacquiao is its congressman.
Tinagsa said that taking over Pacquiao?s role as main benefactor at the moment is his wife Jinkee, who also serves as Sarangani?s team manager.
?The congressman is 100 percent behind this team,? added Tinagsa.
Pacquiao has actually purchased P2 million worth of boxing equipment from Thailand, a move that augurs well with the Filipino star?s dream to produce an Olympic medal prospect.
The tournament here has drawn the participation of the region?s top amateur clubs and ABAP executive director Ed Picson believes the great turnout is a sign that the ABAP is right on track its programs.
Assisting Picson in holding the competition that is backed by PLDT-Smart are national coaches Boy Velasco, Pat Gaspi and Ronald Chavez.
