INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?It wasn?t all smiles on Manny Pacquiao?s arrival yesterday to the usual red carpet welcome at the airport. He grimaced when peppered with questions about his split-decision win over Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

Sporting a cut that required 18 stitches beneath his right brow from his March 16 brawl in Las Vegas, Pacquiao could not hide his dismay during a news conference upon his arrival from Los Angeles when he was asked about doubts on his latest ring victory.
?That?s what hurts,? Pacquiao said in Filipino, describing the carping as ?crab mentality.?

?It?s our fellow Filipinos who doubt my win and someone is even calling for an investigation. What kind of investigation is that, by the Senate or Congress?? he asked.

Pacquiao proceeded to Malacañang and showed off to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the latest boxing belt he had won. In turn, he received a cake with his miniature image on a ring with Pambansang Kamao (national fist) written on it. He then posed for pictures with Ms Arroyo.

Pacquiao later told Malacañang reporters that the President would overcome the latest corruption scandal hounding her.

?If you have faith in God, nothing can destroy you. Just like me, I cannot be defeated because God is with me. He is always at my side. Just like He is with Ma?am,? he said.

Also at the Palace to congratulate him was First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. He said he was thankful that Pacquiao won again. ?It?s a good thing what he?s doing for the country. He?s a uniting factor for the country.?

But some boxing analysts have called Pacquiao?s victory a sham, claiming that he lost to the Mexican boxer on their scorecards and did not deserve the World Boxing Council super featherweight crown.

?Inggit lang sila?

?Inggit lang sila (They?re just envious),? Pacquiao?s wife Jinkee said, parroting a reply from behind her when asked for comment.

Pacquiao said he did not hear such snide remarks in the United States after his latest fight.

?In America, nobody says Marquez won. The only ones who are saying Marquez won are his trainer and those in his camp ... of course that?s natural for their camp ... In America, they were convinced about my win,? Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao said he would be ready to meet Marquez a third time (their first match ended in a draw). ?It?s my job to look for fights inside the ring. It depends if the price is right,? he said.

He again made a joke when asked who his next opponent would be: ?Malamang boxer din (In all probability, another boxer).?

Pacquiao shrugged off the deep cut under his brow, saying ?malayo sa bituka (it?s nowhere near my innards).?

?I don?t mind it. As long as I see my countrymen happy, that?s not a problem. When I suffered a cut, it never crossed my mind that I would lose or I would just surrender. What I thought about were the many Filipinos hoping and praying for our win. This fight was for all Filipinos,? he said.

Manny?s inspiration

?I was determined to win, win, win. You know, my inspiration were the many Filipinos who were chanting ?Manny! Manny!? Of course if you will be stupid inside the ring, if you pause to rest, it will be embarrassing while your kababayans (countrymen) are cheering for you,? he said.

Pacquiao, who will be feted with a victory motorcade in Metro Manila on Tuesday, was accorded the usual red carpet honors at the airport?s Presidential Lounge. He was welcomed by his regular coterie of longtime supporters, including Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ?Chavit? Singson.

At a thanksgiving Mass in Quiapo Church, Fr. Frank Villanueva hailed Pacquiao as an ?evangelizer? for unabashedly showing his religious beliefs to millions of viewers with his prayers and sign of the cross before every round.

Boxing and politics

?When he goes into the boxing ring, Manny introduces the Lord to everyone,? Villanueva said.

The priest could not resist commenting on boxing and politics in which Pacquiao had briefly found himself as a congressional candidate after his ring triumphs.

?I hope you will not mix politics with your life,? Villanueva cautioned the champion.

Villanueva later told reporters: ?The Lord?s purpose is for Pacquiao to unite everyone. If politics gets involved there, many will be disappointed.?

Ecstatic fans

In General Santos City, ecstatic fans are laying out the usual grand welcome for the boxing hero?s arrival, although no date has been set, and they expect the usual ?balato? from the champ, consisting of cash and groceries.

Pacquiao stands to receive as well a P30,000 cash incentive from the municipal government for athletes that as usual will go to his charity foundation. With reports from Allison W. Lopez, Christine O. Avendaño, Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao