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Pacquiao, Woods & TPL. What do Manny Pacquiao and Tiger Woods have in common? They’re obviously the top draws in their sports: boxing and golf. They also happen to be Nike endorsers. And they’re also hit with “TPL.” Third party liability. When you register your vehicle at the LTO, a TPL is a minimum requirement. When you’re a big-time superstar, it’s an excess baggage you can (or should) do without.

Around two weeks ago, Pacquiao was dogged with issues regarding his relationship with a showbiz personality. This came complete with pictures on the internet, reports in the media, and nationwide exchange of words from all angles of society (similar to Pacman’s punches). While it looks like all the fireworks from all these have died down, the “damage” has been done. Whether or not the affair was true, a mark has already been set. It might have been the only tarnish to his amazing feat of winning his seventh world championship in a seventh weight class.

Just days ago, Tiger Woods was also reported to have had a relationship with two, maybe three women. What was supposed to be a simple 2am car accident has turned into a worldwide microscope on reports about Tiger’s alleged clandestine affairs. Tiger has issued a statement about his “transgressions” and has skipped a tournament that he himself hosts every year. He has remained in “hiding” (in the “Woods,” some add), as his management team work on damage control amidst everything that’s happening, including reports of other women coming out to claim that they too, were part of these “transgressions.”

All I can say is “WOW.” What is it about Pacquiao, Woods, and women? Why do they have these “nice” problems that other men wouldn’t mind having? Why don’t I have this kind of problem J? But another natural and more realistic reaction is “So what else is new?”

Let’s face it. Sports, male athletes (especially the rich, handsome and popular ones), and TPL women have been around from the very start. There’s absolutely nothing new here. From the NBA to the PBA, PBL, UAAP, NCAA, Liga Pilipinas and even the CESAFI, it’s all there. Boxing, golf, basketball. You name it, they have it. Thank God we don’t have this in the Milo BEST and CYBL (or maybe we do?). The allegations, actual relationships (true or false) and wild stories are there every year. The only items that change are the characters involved.

The male athlete is always a magnet for women and vice versa. He is usually viewed as the “ideal” man who has decent looks, is taller than everyone else, has a zero-fat body, and perceived to be rich. The icing on the cake is that he happens to be popular (sikat ba). With all these credentials, how can you go wrong? Any lady out there would just love to be identified, seen or linked with this kind of “models” of the male specie, especially the popular ones. In reverse, men are simply men. Single or married, it’s hard to resist beautiful women who ask for more than just an autograph. (No further comments needed; sports eds Manny and Raffy might have to bring out their censor scissors.)

If you want a sample of what I mean, all you have to do is check out the local basketball games of the CESAFI and commercial leagues. One can’t help but notice that always present at the exit area after a game are ladies who are waiting for players to come out from the court or locker rooms. Some of them are girlfriends of players while others are just simple “fans” who want to meet players who they consider to be hunks. Somewhere in the mix are members of the third sex. One thing leads to another and the rest is history.

At the end of the day, it takes two to tango. It’s the player/family man’s responsibility to remind himself about his moral obligations. Temptations will come aplenty from all angles and in the most creative ways. He has to be firm and solidly anchored on a values-based life. The ladies should know better. Being involved with married men no matter how popular they are simply isn’t right. Go for someone else who’s single, younger and in sports terms, up-and-coming.

Pacman, Tiger and TPL. It’s a reality we all have to face. But yes, there’s a way to deal with it.

As Nike would like to say for their stars, “Don’t do it!”

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Time-out: Let’s all continue praying for the recovery of Z “The Dream” Gorres and also help out in the raising of funds for the biggest fight of his life. >>> You can reach me at [email protected]. -  THE FREEMAN