‘D Force be with you in new career

His promoter has booked a fight date (in November) for Manny Pacquiao but, again, there’s nothing certain on who he will be fighting.

Arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez, after having expressed willingness to duel with Pacquiao a fifth time, has again started playing hard to get.

Actually, after the elusive dream fight versus unbeaten pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. got junked anew, the Marquez encounter should prove the most lucrative and relevant for Pacquiao.

But with new hassles around, promoter Bob Arum and top Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz have set to link up in Macau later this week to provide a more solid path for Pacquiao.

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Of course, what appears more definite for Pacquiao at this point is his debut in the Philippine Basketball Association, either as assistant coach or player, or both.

Pacquiao’s KIA team has reportedly complied with all requirements, including the payment of the P100 million franchise fee.

Last heard of, Pacquiao was in the basketball gym conducting tryouts to fill up what promises to be a fighting KIA squad.

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To Manny Pacquiao, may The Force be with you at the start of this new career.

Anyway, although there was a flood of good wishes for Pacquiao, there were those who, out of concern, have offered to warn of pitfalls along the new path he has taken.

“I haven’t come across athletes who have reached elite levels of both boxing and basketball,” said Joseph Dumuk, former chief national sports statistician. “He’ll indeed be a terrific crowd drawer.”

“But playing seriously in the PBA could jeopardize Manny’s fighting in his remaining bouts. It would screw up his concentration. Then there’s the possibility of injuries,” Dumuk added.

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Regarding these fears, Pacquiao has assured well in advance that boxing will remain his top priority and that he would not allow his passion for basketball get in the way of his main career.

That said, we take time out to hail Joseph Dumuk, he with a passion for good literature and great Biblical teachings, who himself has formally ventured in a new career—serious writing—with the publication of his first book.

It’s title: OUR HERO-Romualdo “Aldong” Floirendo Dumuk, done in bright, educated prose that traces the dedicated life of the main character.

Aldong, a dedicated employee and devout Roman Catholic, was a pioneer of the Knights of Columbus of Bauang, La Union.

Wrote the son in deep gratitude: “Aldong was a very diligent worker and very good provider-enough but never in excess. He worked for the upkeep and educational budget of his family. He exerted utmost effort and used his knowledge and skills unselfishly to deliver what was expected of him-and often came up with excellent results. What stands out and contributes to his image as hero to his children was that, despite tempting instances, Aldiong never succumbed and thus kept his integrity intact and unblemished.”

Hail! Keep writing, Champ.