General Santos City ? Seven-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach got a sigh of relief after learning that the basketball tournament where Manny Pacquiao participates in over and done with.
Pacquiao played for his Team Emmanuel which lost to finals opponent Bobslor Foundation, 102-100, played in a gym located inside Pacquiao?s sprawling residential property here Monday night.
While the loss of Pacquiao?s team affected the Filipino boxer?s training schedule the following day, Roach still likes what they have achieved since the Hall of Fame trainer arrived two Sundays ago.
?We had a good start. A tournament going on got in the way where they lost in the finals. He was not too happy about that he didn?t show up for road work this morning but I?m not worried,? said Roach ?So far in the mitts and so forth, he?s been working really good. We?re working on 10-11 rounds a day very good. His condition is not in fighting shape but he?s very good. He?s getting better every day.?
Pacquiao sparred four rounds opposite Canada-based Ghislain Maduma of Congo Tuesday which former world champion Jonathan Penalosa said went really well.
?Naibigay niya yung kailangang style ni Manny. Tingin ko naman happy si Freddie kasi sa nakita ko maganda kilos nung sparmate. Counterpuncher at maganda timing,? said Penalosa.
Before the sparring session, Roach had reservations on Maduma as he simply gave out wry smile when asked about what he initially saw in Maduma based on his shadow boxing and ring movements.
Maduma was hired by Canadian adviser Michael Koncz who asked the Congolese fighter to study and mimic the ring movements of their upcoming opponent Timothy Bradley.
?I?m the one who picked this guy based on what I saw on YouTube and I?m hopeful that he can give us what we need,? said Koncz. ?If he does great, I?m happy and I?m the hero but if he doesn?t I?ll be criticized for bringing in a no good sparring. But I take full responsibility whatever way it goes.?
Pacquiao, whose last outing was a decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather, will again spar opposite Maduma this afternoon.
Pacquiao is set to leave for the United States on March 15 or three weeks before his scheduled April 9 showdown against Bradley to be held at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada
Roach has also lined up a battery of sparmates when Pacquiao reports for gym duties at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
