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Solar execs aim to solve issue with Pacquiao


MANILA, Philippines – Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Solar Sports executives are scheduled to sit down and talk together this weekend in Los Angeles in a crucial meeting that could make or break the long-time partnership between the two parties. Solar Sports president and chief executive officer Wilson Tieng will fly to the US Friday night along with Peter Chanliong, Solar Sports chief operating officer, to hook up with Pacquiao and find a way to thresh out their differences that arose with the ring superstar’s recent decision to rescind the last two years of his four-year contract with the sports cable channel. The meeting was sought out by Pacquiao himself, according to Solar Sports vice president Jude Turcuato. “Solar Sports has been in contact with Manny Pacquiao," said Turcuato as he announced the latest development surrounding the issue that has caught the fancy of the entire Filipino nation. Solar Sports was expected to file a case against Pacquiao for breach of contract but its lawyers were cautious in discussing the matter of dragging the issue into court. “We will sue if we need to sue to protect our rights," said Atty. Stephen David, one of four Solar Sports lawyers present together with Atty. Lani David, Atty. Joseph Sagandoy and Atty. Ricky Dela Cruz. “Legal action will be Solar’s last option." This developed as Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum said he’s leaving it all up to Pacquiao to decide on the matter, stressing “he should do what he thinks is right." But the veteran boxing man pointed out that “Solar has been very good to him." Arum’s Top Rank owns the promotional rights on Pacquiao. Solar Sports also stressed that it already has a block time agreement with GMA-7 to air the May 2 title fight between Pacquiao and Englishman Ricky Hatton. “The position of Solar Sports is to protect its rights and the rights of those under contract with it, including GMA-7," said Dela Cruz. Solar and GMA-7 had aired Pacquiao last five fights including his stunning 8th round technical knockout win over Oscar De La Hoya last December. Following his surprise decision to severe ties with Solar Sports, Pacquiao revealed he is choosing giant-network ABS-CBN to have the exclusive rights to broadcast his first fight for 2009. Sagandoy clarified the public’s fear that Solar will seek court intervention in order to stop ABS-CBN from airing the 12-round fight direct from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. “(Solar) has no intention to block the airing of Pacquiao’s fight. What we are trying to stop is for any media station to air the fight without Solar’s consent." For the nth time, Solar Sports reiterated that it hasn’t been remiss in all of its obligations as reiterated in the contract the outfit and the Manny Pacquiao Promotions originally signed in 2007. – GMANews.TV
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