Pacquiao in town to grace shootfest

CEBU, Philippines - Outside the boxing arena, Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao has many sporting hobbies. Basketball, of course, is one of them. He also plays darts, chess, and billiards during his spare time.

But unknown to many, Pacquiao is also a shooting enthusiast, a certified marksman who hit his targets with high precision and pin-point accuracy.

That is precisely the reason why he is here.

The eight-division world champion is in town to grace a shooting tournament named after him, the 1st Congressman

Manny Pacquiao Challenge set to fire off this morning at the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association (CPRA) Firing Range in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

"It's nice to be back here. Cebu is one of the places I love to visit ever since," said Pacquiao moments after his arrival in the Queen City of the South late Thursday night. His entourage includes his amiable wife Jinkee and youngest son Israel.

Pacquiao will lead the ceremonial shoot at 11:45 a.m. that will formally kick off the two-day shootfest, which serves as the first leg or the Visayas Zone of a three-part Level 3 shooting competition sanctioned by the Philippine Shooters Match Officer Confederation (PSMOC).

The tournament will have 12 handgun stages and five stages under the special match of a Level 1 3GUN Nation. There  will be one chrono stages for each leg.

More than 600 competitors will vie for top honors in the most prestigious and the highly anticipated shooting competition of the country. Proceeds of the charity event shall be donated to Bobslor Foundation, Inc. - a non-stock, non-profit charitable institution based in General Santos City, Pacquiao's hometown.

Paul Bryant Yu is the match administrator for the Visayas leg assisted by match master Franklin Horfilla

After Cebu, action shifts to GenSan for the second leg (Mindanao Zone) on September 18-20. The third and final leg also known as the National Capital Region/Luzon Zone will take place on September 25-27 at the Armscor Firing Range in Marikina City.

All legs are Trophy Match of the following PSMOC divisions: unlimited, DA/striker fired division, limited-10, stock/hi-cap, single stack and revolver.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao, who is expected to make a full recovery sooner than expected after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, has confirmed that he will be fighting again in 2016, but refused to comment on his possible opponent.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is looking at a Pacquiao showdown with British welterweight star Amir Khan, but trainer Freddie Roach said a match-up with WBA super lightweight champion Danny Garcia is the best out there for the Pacman.

Pacquiao also kept mum when asked on his political plans. Now on his second term as congressman representing the  lone district of Sarangani Province, Pacquiao is rumored to run for senator in next year's elections.

"I haven't decided yet on anything. Let's just wait and see. In due time, you will know what my political plans  are," said Pacquiao, who had earlier announced he would quit boxing if he wins a seat in the Philippine Senate. (FREEMAN)