Ariza shares knowledge to Asiad coaches

MANILA—Manny Pacquiao’s conditioning coach and nutritionist Alex Ariza is set to conduct a symposium before coaches of the Asian Games-bound national team Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.   The Philippine Olympic Committee, led by president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., required all coaches of the national teams in 31 sports to attend the affair where the Colombian fitness guru will share some tips in making a champion.   “Conditioning and nutrition are factors that we have long taken for granted,” said Cojuangco earlier. “But I believe that these two matters are essential to an athlete’s performance.”   POC chair Monico Puentevella yesterday helped brokered talks to bring Ariza, who will take a one-day break from Pacquiao’s fight preparation in Baguio City against Antonio Margarito.   The symposium with Ariza is expected to boost the morale of the RP Asiad team members who will try to outperform  their predecessors four years ago in Doha. The Filipino athletes went home with four golds, six silvers and nine bronzes that time.   In earlier  interviews, Ariza underscored the importance of the athletes’ nutrition, saying “even if we you have a supercar but you put in cheap gas, it wouldn’t run well.”   Ariza has been reported to use different protein concoctions to fuel Pacquiao’s training, which also includes plyometrics and isometric exercises.