Lucky RP flag barely made it to Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – The Philippine flag that was waved by Manny Pacquiao die-hard Cris Aquino before, during and after the fight almost didn’t make it to the Events Center Saturday.

It was almost 5 p.m. when it got to Vegas, personally hand-carried by Arnel Mendoza, a Filipino based in New Jersey. He flew to Los Angeles in the morning before catching another flight to this Sin City.

The flag has been with Mendoza, a former member of the Philippine National Police, for safe-keeping since it was used during Pacquiao’s second fight against Erik Morales in January last year.

“It’s our lucky flag,” said Mendoza who flies back home to New Jersey Sunday morning, again bringing with him the flag. “We haven’t lost a fight since we got this. So we intend to keep it forever.”

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More than a week after Ateneo was booted out of the UAAP finals, its star forward, Chris Tiu, was seen drowning his blues by watching the 12-round fight billed as “Will to Win” at Mandalay Bay.

The sweet-shooter from Ateneo was seated at the $600 section. He wore a Pacquiao jacket, too, right behind former Pacquiao business manager Rod Nazario who came with old friends and Team Pacquiao originals Moi Lainez and Lito Mondejar.

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At one point during the match, the ringside camera focused on lovely lady who was identified as Jinkee Pacquiao, the wife of the Filipino boxer.

But it was a case of mistaken identity as the lady was not Jinkee but actually Joan Ramos, wife of LA-based Team Pacquiao insider Joe Ramos.

Jinkee, who was just as lovely and elegant in a little, gold dress, was the one seated beside Joan, and Macy Pineda, wife of Pacquiao business manager Eric Pineda. – Abac Cordero