Mad Man Possessed

Legendary fight promoter Bob Arum believes Manny Pacquiao will be in great shape for his upcoming rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.

This was revealed by Arum in an overseas interview with the daily morning radio show Sports Chat on dzSR Sports Radio 918.

Arum, who dropped by Pacquiao’s training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, expressed his astonishment in seeing the Filipino boxer train for two hours without taking a break under the tutelage of fight guru Freddie Roach.

“He went two hours without taking one break. I’ve never seen [anything] like it and I’ve been in this business 42 years,” said Arum. “I said to Freddie everybody takes a break, Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, anybody takes a break and this guy didn’t stop for a minute. He’s training like a man possessed.”

Asked about concerns of Pacquiao peaking too early, Arum said he doesn’t see that happening as the celebrated Filipino seems to be enjoying what he is doing.

“If he was unhappy while he was doing it, I will be concerned. But he’s happy and he loves to do it,” said Arum. “He is absolutely focused, no-nonsense doing other things. I can’t tell you how pleased I am with what I’ve seen.”

Arum added that Roach looks pleased with what Pacquiao has been showing in training camp since arriving in the United States middle of January.

“I think more important than what I see and feel is what Freddie feels. I think Freddie is superconfident, and Manny keeps up at this work level. He is going to give the best performance of his career,” said Arum.

Marquez and Pacquiao will clash for the Mexican’s World Boxing Council (WBC) world super-featherweight belt on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marquez passed the other day the WBC-mandated 30-day weigh-in as he registered 133 lb, or just 3 lb over the official super-featherweight limit. Pacquiao tipped the scales at 140 lb.

Source: Yehey.com

Sta. Lucia Looking to Pull Away From Purefoods

This could be the defining moment of Boyet Fernandez's young coaching career. During his 12 years in the PBA as a player, the Sta. Lucia mentor failed to win a championship, although he played in three conference Finals.

His craving for the elusive hardware could possibly end this week. The Realtors hold a 2-0 lead over the Purefoods TJ Giants in the best-of-seven 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup titular series. All he needs is to win two more to become a certified champion coach.

With their first championship in seven years within reach, management and their religious followers couldn't hide their excitement.

But the 36-year-old Fernandez stressed he is not rushing things up.

"We'll just take it one game at a time. A 2-0 lead doesn't mean anything in a best-of-seven series," offered Fernandez, who could become the 10th player-turned -coach to win a PBA crown.

Game 3 is scheduled for 7 p.m Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

"It looks good. We're up 2-0. But coach said it’s not over yet. So we'll take it one game at a time and keep believing we can win this championship," said rookie Ryan Reyes, who has been doing a good job defending Purefoods deadshot James Yap.

Ryan Gregorio, Fernandez's former coach at Purefoods who now stands between him and the championship he longs for, said he isn't ready to push the panic button but readily admitted they can't afford to lose Game 3.

"I don't think any team has bounced back from a 0-3 deficit. And we’re not gonna gamble too much on that," said Gregorio, aiming to become the first coach to win two All-Filipino championships for the Purefoods franchise.

The Realtors dominated Games 1 and 2 on two factors: youth and tireless defensive effort. The ability of Dennis Espino and Marlou Aquino to provide veteran depth also made a difference.

Fernandez said he would stick with that formula.

Gregorio concedes that the Realtors are playing tremendous defense and the attention they are providing James Yap and Kerby Raymundo has obviously taken its toll on the two Purefoods superstars in the crucial stretches of Games 1 and 2.

Based on his observation, the Purefoods coach feels he has to make the necessary adjustments.

So on Monday Gregorio gave his troops a break while he reviewed his roster in an effort to figure out the best possible alternate for James Yap and Raymundo – who, he admits, might be playing extended minutes.

Although things don't look good, Gregorio remains optimistic his troops will be able to turn the series around.

"If there's a team that can come out of the rut that's our team," proclaimed Gregorio.

The Giants were also in a 0-2 hole in the semifinals of the 2002 Philippine Cup and during the 2006 Governors Cup Finals. They eventually won both series.

Fernandez anticipates that Game 3 would be "a little bit more physical". Gregorio thinks so, too. (DBC)

Source: PBA.ph