Pacquiao focused on Algieri and not basketball, says brother

WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, left, and WBO junior welterweight champion. Chris Algieri AP PHOTO/VINCENT YU

MANILA, Philippines—If there’s anyone who knows Manny Pacquiao well, it’s his younger brother Bobby Pacquiao.

And Bobby, a former featherweight and lightweight contender before hanging up his gloves, knows the Fighter of the Decade is in laser-light focus for his upcoming bout against unbeaten Chris Algieri next month.

“Nasa sarili na niya ’yon. Magaling si Manny mag-adjust (It’s in him. Manny’s good in managing his time),” said the 33-year-old Bobby, whom Manny has appointed as the team manager of the MP Hotel Warriors in the D-League, on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena where the opening day of the 2015 Season of the PBA’s developmental league unfolded.

“Kapag talagang nasa training siya sa boxing yun lang talaga nasa isip niya. Wala, hindi siya iniisip na basketball naka-focus kami sa training niya,” he added.

Manny’s concentration has been a cause for concern to many with the current WBO welterweight champion also a Congressman in Saranggani, a playing-coach for the Kia Sorento in the PBA and also a team owner in the D-League.

But as far as Bobby is concerned, there’s no need to worry. “Naka-focus kami sa training. Nasa kundisyon na siya ngayon (We’re focused on his training. He’s already in good condition right now).”

The only concern Bobby has to deal with for now is their team in the D-League, which suffered a beating in its debut.

Bobby said he oversees the Warriors’ training in General Santos City and right now he is tasked to run the team before the former pound-for-pound king returns home from his title fight set on Nov. 23 in Macau.

“Nanibago. Siguro kasi walang naka-tuneup dito. Next game mag-adjust kami sa plays namin (They weren’t used to the game yet. Maybe because they weren’t able to play a tuneup game here. Next game we’ll make adjustments with our plays).”