Pacman in Manila to meet Noynoy

MANILA, Philippines –  Manny Pacquiao sparred six rounds in Baguio CIty yesterday then headed straight to Manila for some very important commitments, including a planned meeting with President Aquino tomorrow.

Pacquiao did three rounds each with Mexicans Michael Medina and Glen Tapia in the afternoon, and after a brief rest he took his entourage to Manila for a fast-paced four-hour drive.

This morning, Pacquiao will put on his running shoes to be the special guest in the “10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River,” which organizers said has attracted a record field of 120,000 runners.

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, was also bound for Manila last night. He is scheduled to speak before the coaches of the Philippine team for next month’s Asian Games.

Ariza will be at the Philsports Arena at 1 p.m. to talk about the importance of physical conditioning and the proper nutrition for athletes. He is expected to bare some of his secrets to the Pinoy coaches.

Freddie Roach has opted to stay in Baguio.

Pacquiao will spend the rest of the day with his family. Tomorrow morning, he will do his roadwork at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, where he trained briefly for the Miguel Cotto fight last year.

And in the afternoon, Pacquiao will meet with his counterparts from Congress, those representing the Visayas and Mindanao, as they sit down with President Aquino.

“It has something to do with the budget for the Visayas and Mindanao,” said boxing man Hermie Rivera, who had a brief chat with the pound-for-pound champion after the sparring session.

One of Pacquiao’s consultants, Joe Ramos, said Pacquiao will skip going to the gym tomorrow, and after the meeting with the President will head back to Baguio to get ready for Tuesday’s sparring session.

Roach said last week everything’s fine even if Pacquiao gets himself busy playing basketball at the Cooyeesan Plaza Hotel in Baguio, and has skipped a couple days of road work at the City of Pines.

“He’s fine,” Roach insisted.

Pacquiao also left Baguio for Manila after sparring last Saturday because he wanted to be with his daughter who just celebrated her birthday, and had to deliver some speech somewhere.