Manila, Philippines ? It was late in the third quarter when he asked to be substituted and a slender guy with albatross-like arms came in to replace him.
Outside the boxing ring, away from the bruising world of prize-fighting, it is inside the basketball court that Manny Pacquiao finds solace and enjoyment, looking and acting as if he is a kid who had just stepped inside Disneyland.
Playing alongside legitimate hoopsters, composed of ex-professionals and collegiate mainstays, Pacquiao ran from coast to coast, drove to the basket, elevated for jumpers, risking injury and putting his boxing career in jeopardy.
But Pacquiao didn?t mind it at all, continuing to run, defend and go on fastbreak plays to the delight of a small but highly-appreciative crowd at The Village, a membership-only sports and recreational facility located in the bowels of Paranaque on a balmy Thursday night.
Reminded that he seems to be trim and his weight is in check owing to his constant workouts, Pacquiao even joked that he hasn?t even stepped on the gas.
?That?s just nothing,? said Pacquiao after dressing up.
Of course, playing basketball is nothing compared to what he always goes through during training for a big fight.
But since all that jumping and running make him sweat it out, Pacquiao believes it will eventually help him rev up for his comeback fight which he says will happen in September.
?It will be in September.?
But as to when exactly, where and who it will be against has yet to be agreed upon.
A fifth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked him out senseless last year, is an option even if the Mexican is sounding off that there is no point in facing the Filipino again.
Told that Marquez is cool with the idea, Pacquiao said there is life after Marquez.
?I agreed to fight him (for the fourth time) because he was begging me to give him another chance so I gave him the chance but if he doesn?t want, what can I do??
In case a fifth match doesn?t happen, Pacquiao can still go after the other big names.
Besides, Pacquiao says there is plenty left in the tank.
