by Nick Giongco
LAS VEGAS—In the early hours of Sunday, Manny Pacquiao spent some time with a group of pastors in his Skylofts suite at the MGM Grand, 30 floors above where he scored a win that he will cherish the rest of his life.
Surrounded by members of his entourage, members of the Philippine and local media and Bible-preaching individuals, Pacquiao kept on wiping his eyes that he covered with a pair of trendy dark glasses.
Pacquiao, his face a bit bruised after weathering Keith Thurman on Saturday night, spoke in a soft tone as everyone listened, hoping that they don’t miss out on every word he uttered.
Pacquiao, who at 40 will go down as one of the oldest world boxing champions, narrated his audience with his dreams that were heavy on religious beliefs.
After a few hours, Pacquiao politely excused himself to rest and as if on cue, the guests made a line to the exit door, leaving the future Hall of Famer in the loving arms of his wife Jinkee and kids.
Pacquiao, who almost scored a first-round knockout when he dropped Thurman, was supposed to take a private plane from here to Manila just before sunlight so he can attend the State Of The Nation Address scheduled Monday afternoon.
But owing to the bruising nature of the fight, Pacquiao was advised not to proceed.
Instead, Pacquiao said he will fly back to Manila using the eight-seater jet late Sunday afternoon that the eight-division champion had leased.
By the time he touches down in the Philippines, it would already be almost midnight of Monday, the SONA already done but his victory still being talked around, its impact as staggering as that of President Duterte’s bold words.
