Victor, vanquished meet anew — inside casino

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao spent a few hours at the baccarat table of Wynn Hotel’s casino area Sunday afternoon.

Just a table away was Erik Morales pushing some chips on the roulette and enjoying a few bottles of Corona.

The two fighters, who figured in a three-round brawl at the Thomas and Mack Center Saturday, spoke briefly. They shook hands and the Filipino champ gifted the Mexican with a Team Pacquiao jacket.

Morales had a couple stacks of $25 and a few $100 and $1,000 chips. He played the game quietly, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, rubber shoes with a black leather bag slung across his body.

Morales came with a friend who spent more time on his cellular phone, and was later on joined by his wife Andrea. Morales hardly wore any bruises on his face.

While playing he had at least three bottles of beer.

Pacquiao came with more than a dozen friends, and like Morales was in blue jeans but in leather shoes and a gray sweatshirt. Somebody held his clutch bag for him.

While Morales was betting in the few hundreds, Pacquiao was betting in the few thousands, the biggest at $6,000 for a hand, which the banker won.

One time he pulled out a wad of dollars from his pocket, and placed them all on the table. Again, they went to the banker who counted it at $3,300.

Pacquiao also had a bottle of Corona. But who cares? He was having a very good time.

And why not? He just won the biggest fight of his career and earned his biggest paycheck, too, at $3 million with much more to come through his shares on the TV rights and fight merchandise.

Later on, Pacquiao moved to another table. But before that, he approached Morales. Once again they shook hands, and probably for the last time.

Earlier in the day, Pacquiao heard Mass inside his two-bedroom suite that was packed with family and friends. After the Mass, he went back to his room to rest.

Pacquiao ran a fever Saturday morning and was not really feeling well when he climbed the ring. Good for him the opportunity to end the fight came early.

Otherwise, his condition might later on have a grave effect on him.

Pacquiao spent another night in Vegas and planned to travel to Los Angeles, again by land, Monday afternoon.

He plans to stay in LA for until Tuesday or Wednesday before flying home to a hero’s welcome Thursday or Friday.