Pacquiao makes time for son

LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao shifts from fight mode to fatherhood just as quickly as he throws combination punches.

Originally set to fly back to Manila on Tuesday, his camp announced the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion may take a side trip to Hong Kong to watch his eldest son, Jimuel, compete in a basketball tournament for Brent International School Manila where the younger Pacquiao is in senior high school.

The 17-year-old Pacquiao is also fond of boxing, something that his father said “made me sad.”

“We don’t have a single boxing equipment in the house but we have a basketball court,” said Pacquiao, whose son has all the tapes of his fights.

“I would catch him in his room shadow boxing,” said Pacquiao, 40. “But I don’t want him to become a boxer.”

Meanwhile, Malacañang congratulated Pacquiao for defending his WBA title against Adrien Broner on Sunday.

“The Palace is one with the entire Filipino people in celebrating Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s title defense over Adrien Broner,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Pacquiao’s victory is proof that “age is just a number and no goal is insurmountable if there is hard work.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. also invited Pacquiao, a colonel in the Army reserve force, to a celebration in Camp Aguinaldo. —WITH REPORTS FROM JEANNETTE ANDRADE, JULIE AURELIO