Questions, Questions: More? More? More?

DID it mean Juan Manuel Marquez was right in claiming Manny Pacquiao had never beaten him in all their three previous fights?

Who’s to blame?

Manny Pacquiao rose from the canvas and readily pointed at himself.

He said he became too confident.

Mayor Alfredo Lim, turning instant expert, said it was all a result of a lucky punch.

No, cried a young broadcaster, close-in observer inside Team Pacquiao, it was no lucky punch.

Manny was led into a trap.

Did he allow himself to be trapped?

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Here are postfight views sent to this reporter immediately after Pacquiao was stopped by Marquez:

GERRY MAYOR, Lipa City: “Unbelievable how he rose, unbelievable how he fell. It should help if Pacquiao could study that lesson in the Bible which says, “You cannot serve two masters—God and money—at the same time. I really pity him, will pray for him.”

Lawyer MARIANO QUINTOS, Vergara, Mandaluyong City: “I watched in shock. Pacquiao’s stunning loss to Marquez does not diminish his sterling achievements but rather enhances the Filipino’s fighting heart and nobility—traits that have been etched in granite for all time.”

Dr. JIM SANCHEZ, philanthropist: “Four months of focused, rigid training vs six weeks of uneven regimen. Both are excellent fighters. It’s a pity. What Manny needs now is support more than ever. Let’s all pray for him.”

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ANTHONY ANDALES, North Carolina, US: “He has indeed declined. But it was a very entertaining fight. Mabuhay. I love the old Manny, the original Pacific Storm.”

JUN VELASCO, Dagupan City: “Pacquiao’s fall must be due to his multiple interests, against Marquez’s rigid discipline and single-minded focus.”

JESUS GARCIA JR., Mangaldan, Pangasinan: “It was an ugly defeat. It’s mourning for the Philippines.”

JOSEPH DUMUK, San Fernando, La Union: “The difference is millions of $$$ when I said Pacman should retire then and today when so many columnists are asking MP to retire. However, Pacquiao was on a 15-fight winning streak and it would’ve been a grand exit. But now with the Bradley loss and the JMM knockout, how would retirement look?”

* * *

Lawyer ROMULO MACALINTAL: “The Sign of the Cross was always part of Manny Pacquiao’s fights since he started his boxing career in 1995 or for almost 17 years. Making the Sign of the Cross was part of his timing and style, especially when he felt he was in trouble. Without it, he was a confused lot in the ring vs Marquez as if he wanted to make the sign but could not because of his new religion. His timing and confidence were greatly affected and he became an easy target for Marquez, a devout Catholic… In Round 6, I was saying ‘Where are you Mama Mary?’—then a second before the round ended that knockout punch answered my question.”

BERT DE GUZMAN, columnist, Balita: “Makakabalik pa kaya, you think he can come back? Remember how he got mad at you after you said Marquez had beaten him in their second fight? He also got mad at Ronnie Nathanielsz last time. His era ends, enter Donaire.”

PETER TANYAO, trader, Chinese intellectual: “It was clearly a fix, luto. How could that happen when there was only a second left—and he dropped his guard. It was a dive what with those notorious gamblers always around him.”

GORING KURIAS, former OFW: “Mas sumikat pa, he even became greater after that defeat. Laban pa, he should stay.”

More? More? More?—of the same?