Jinky’s joy eases tension as fight nears

LAS VEGAS—Radiant and blooming, Jinkee Pacquiao was a picture of a dutiful wife Thursday (Friday in Manila).

She attended to her husband as they ate dinner in their suite at THEhotel of Mandalay Bay. Then in a display of affection, she hugged Manny from behind as cameras clicked and television crews recorded the couple’s stronger marital bond.

Obliging sportswriters for a brief interview, Jinkee said the situation within Team Pacquiao is now vastly different from that of last year, when her hubby tangled with Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time, and last June, when he battled Timothy Bradley.

“There’s no tension,” said Jinkee, who is running for vice governor of Sarangani province, where her husband is expected to retain his post as congressman unopposed.

“Light ang feeling,” Jinkee said in Filipino. “Manny is doing well in practice and he’s happy, so I’m not worried.”

She said Bradley’s disputed victory over Manny is now history.

“I’ve put that behind me, just like what Manny did,” added Jinkee. “Everything happens because it’s God’s will.”

She said she has accepted Manny’s decision to fight until 2014. “He really likes it (boxing), so I might as well support him.”