MANILA, Philippines?At the time I had a chit-chat over coffee with Solar Sports VP for marketing Jude Turcuato, there was hardly any indication that the company?s recent manpower cutback would become a major issue, considering that cost-cutting is a sign of the times.

In light of the global financial crisis, Jude said that his bosses, William and Wilson Tieng, had hired a financial expert to study the company?s operations and make recommendations so that Solar Sports will stay liquid and stable.

The expert recommended, among others, a reduction in talent fees, which he deemed too high, and the abolition of redundant positions.

The cut in talent fees was very minimal, according to Jude.

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It isn?t known publicly but it?s true that Manny Pacquiao has been pushing for a giant television network to cover his fight with Briton Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Although Manny has had a good working relationship with Solar Sports and GMA 7, which airs his fights, the giant network has purportedly made an offer that?s difficult to resist.

Manny is a contract star of GMA 7 where he appears in a couple of shows, ?Pinoy Records? with Chris Tiu, and ?Totoy Bato.?

The network is said to have offered Manny full media support in the next election to ensure victory in the next year?s congressional elections.

I understand that, through Manny?s intercession, Solar Sports and the giant network sat down and discussed the possibilities.

Had Manny insisted, Solar Sports might have allowed the giant network to come in as a blocktimer for the May 2 fight, a move that would surely not sit well with GMA 7.

The giant network, however, didn?t want to be just a blocktimer, it wanted to buy the whole package.

Solar Sports, which has an ironclad contract to carry all of Pacquiao fights until 2012, is not selling.

As of now.

Of course, there could be renegotiations in succeeding Pacquiao fights, but that?s Solar Sports? call.

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Assistant coach Jorge Gallent is out of Burger King.

No, he wasn?t kicked out by the Linas who continue to own the PBA franchise. Lucky Jorge was lured to Purefoods for the same post he now holds.

Jorge who boasts multiple PBL championships for Harbour Centre leaves behind his former associates, Junel Baculi and Albert Tirona, whose fates at Burger King are still unknown.

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The next question is, will Harbour Centre return to the PBL?

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad said he hasn?t talked to owner Mikee Romero since March 6.

Incidentally, the PBL has moved its opening date from March 14 to a weekend after the Holy Week.

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It wasn?t exactly the proper attire to wear in a business meeting, but Jack Ruby, head of Makisig Network, appeared to be flaunting the round-neck, very-ordinary looking white cotton T-shirt, which had a huge [V] emblazoned on it, during the WPL team managers meeting at Italianni?s restaurant recently.

According to him, the T-shirt carries the message that the [V] Channel has been resurrected on the Makisig Network.

Jack announced that the launch of the Women?s Premiere League has also been moved to April.