INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – During his arrival at the airport, Manny Pacquiao was greeted by hordes of media and fans toting small Philippine flags.

Clad in a crisp white suit and wearing a hat, the local boxing hero answered every question thrown at him. But at some point, he interrupted the questioning to say something.

“Hindi lang ako ang champion dito. Kasama din natin si Bernabe Concepcion. Pasalubungan din natin siya ng masigabong palakpakan (I’m not the only champion here. Let’s give Bernabe Concepcion a round of applause,” he said.

Concepcion won the undercard match against Yogli Herrera during Pacquiao’s title bout with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas, which ended in a devastating second round technical round knockout for the British fighter.

The 20-year old Concepcion, meanwhile, won against Herrera via unanimous in his debut as a lightweight.

In January, Concepcion stopped Kenya’s Sande Otieno via a fifth round technical knockout to claim the then-vacant WBC International featherweight crown.

“Alam ninyo ‘di lang ako ang nagbibigay karangalan sa ating bansa pero ‘yung mga undercard boxers din katulad ni Bernabe (It is not only me that brings glory to our country but fighters like Bernabe),” Pacquiao added.

It was also a much-awaited reunion with his kids. As soon as Jemuel and Michael saw their dad, they ran to hug the boxing champ.

Prior to his arrival, the two were playing at the arrival area at NAIA Terminal 2. “Matulog na lang siya (He can just sleep),” Michael answered playfully when asked about Hatton.

Pacquiao’s daughter and youngest child Princess also rushed to his arms and instantly kissed him on the cheek. “I feel so happy that I’m home now with my family,” he said.