INQUIRER Sports

WHEN POLITICIANS DECIDE to run or not, they know that the media will descend upon them to get the story. It?s part of the politico?s job.

Young athletes who sometimes have to face the media about their performances or decisions are often unaccustomed to the spotlight and don?t see what the fuss is all about.

Well, whether one is an athlete or politician, once you step into the public domain your decisions are subject to scrutiny.

Very personal or private issues can be left alone. But decisions about performance and the impact of decisions are up for evaluation.

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Japeth Aguilar has now discovered what it?s like to be in the middle of a story.

The PBA preseason lull is like a vacuum for print and broadcast media because, unless something moves among players and teams, there is no game or tournament to write about.

Aguilar and his decision not to play for Burger King after being chosen as the PBA?s No. 1 rookie pick is definitely a story and will not immediately go away for now.

Aguilar has both boosters and detractors.

There are those who consider noble his desire to play for the national team, while others deem his move not to honor his PBA draft as reneging on an agreement, written or not.

Aguilar has the choice of what to do with his playing career.

After consulting advisers, parents and friends, he will have to make decisions by himself and own up to them in the public domain.

Such is the life of the public figure; there is a price to pay for wanting to be in the limelight and reaping its benefits.

Decisions have to be arrived at, explained and even defended in the public space.

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Manny Pacquiao has learned to be his own man in the public eye.

He has advisers, family and friends to offer counsel and support. At the end of each day, though, he alone makes his decisions.

That?s clearly seen in the tug-of-war as to where Pacman finally holds training camp.

It?s intriguing to boxing fans who are concerned whether Pacquiao will be at his best come fight night against Miguel Cotto.

Given all the limitations of again training early at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao is studying options as to where he trains leading up to Nov. 14.

Freddie Roach doesn?t like the idea of Pacquiao training in Baguio, but he can?t do much unless he and his fighter agree on what to do.

Roach is clearly worried about the distractions that could mess up the camp if it were set up anywhere in the Philippines.

Pacquiao should slide easily into training once all his commercial and show business commitments are settled.

He is just too smart to leave anything to chance, especially now as he approaches the last couple of fights that will seal his legacy.

Cotto will probably say that he is not concerned about Pacquiao?s schedule and is only interested in his own. But I?m sure his team is intrigued why the pound-for-pound king hasn?t really started training.

Now that?s a distraction.