PBA celebs play ‘Pacfans’ and boxing buffs in Pacquiao-Clottey

It’s been a normal practice. The entire nation always stands still every time pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao climbs the ring. On Sunday, officials and coaches from the Philippine Basketball Association took time off their regular routines to watch Pacquiao defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Joshua Clottey of Ghana. True-blue "Pacfans," they watched the fight with great anticipation and many of them ended up quite disappointed with the way the Ghanaian challenger fought the best boxer in the world today.

“Sanay na kasi tayo sa mga knockouts ni Pacquiao eh," PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios told GMANews.TV. “Even ako nag-aantay na pabagsakin ni Pacquiao si Clottey, who suddenly became content surviving the fight than try winning it." Coaches Chot Reyes of Talk ‘N Text, Tim Cone of Alaska, Bo Perasol of Coca-Cola, Siot Tanquingcen of San Miguel Beer, Asean Basketball League mentor Louie Alas of the Philippine Patriots and former Sta. Lucia bench tactician Alfrancis Chua also had things to say about the bout. “I watched through my CIGNAL TV. All I can say is, itong taga-Ghana, nakakawalang gana," Reyes wrote on his Twitter account. Reyes also urged former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. to go and face Pacquiao in what could be the biggest bout ever. The two boxers were the ones supposed to battle Sunday, but the negotiations bogged down due to disagreement over dope-testing procedures. “Come on, Mayweather. Stop running away from the only fight left this century," said Reyes, the only coach to win the PBA All-Filipino championship for three different teams. Cone, whose team is currently in Cebu to play the Niños and have their team-building sessions, tuned in to the radio to get updates on Pacquiao’s fight. The multi-titled mentor said his import, Diamon Simpson, is a huge Pacquiao fan and was one of those very excited to follow the fight. “The whole Alaska team is here at the beach waiting for the Pacman show. But who cares for Alaska, this is Pacquiao’s Day," said Cone on his Twitter account. For Perasol, they got themselves a pay-per-view telecast and even invited their neighbors to watch with them. Like many, the coach and his gang ended up frustrated. “It’s very frustrating in a way. Boxing is supposed to be offense and defense. Naging offense si Pacman and defense naman si Clottey," said Perasol in a text message. Tanquingcen anticipated the bout won’t be as exciting given the fighting style of Clottey and so he didn’t avail of a PPV telecast and opted to watch the bout on a delayed basis. Alas and Chua shared different views. “In a way, happy na rin ako dahil nanalo pa rin si Pacquiao," said Alas, who watched a PPV screening at the Alabang Town Center. Chua had mixed emotions. “Pangit ng laban. Ayaw lumaban nung kalaban," said Chua, who watched through his friend’s Playdium. “The good thing is, Pacquiao won." – Rey Joble, GMANews.TV