Puentevella Tells Athletes: Let Pacquiao be an inspiration

CEBU, Philippines - “Let his (Manny Pacquiao) story be your inspiration.” So said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Monico “Nyok” O. Puentevella to the athletes and sportsmen present during the 27th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Corporation (SAC-SMC) All-Cebu Sports Awards the other night at the Casino Español.

Puentevella said if Pacquiao was able to achieve such monumental feat in life, so with the rest of the Filipino athletes.

The former Philippine Sports Commissioner said just like the rest of the athletes, Pacquiao struggled, neglected, mismanaged and lost but was able to get up and be what he is today - one of the greatest boxers of all time.

“He showed us that the Filipino can! I remembered him telling me one time saying there may be more boxers who are better than me, but the only difference between us is I am confident that I can do it. And yes, he did it!” said Puentevella, spotlighting Pacman’s epic triumph over 10-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya.

Aside from his ring crafstmanship, Puentevella said Pacquiao also showed how determined he is to finish his schooling.

For that, Pacquiao truly deserves the honorary doctorate degree conferred to him by Southwestern University. The Filipino sports hero also got a lifetime achievement award from SAC.

“You know, people criticizes the award (doctorate degree) given to him today, but if there’s one man who has brought tremendous honor in the country, it’s him. Thus, he deserves his doctorate. And I’d tell you, he is bent to finish his schooling. He does not need to go school anymore with all his millions and probably soon as the first Pinoy billionaire athlete, and yet, he really wants to finish school.” -  THE FREEMAN