By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Filipino ring idol and national treasure Manny Pacquiao returned home to the warm embrace of his adoring countrymen early yesterday morning, some twelve days before his Mano-A-Mano showdown with former two-time world super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios.

Most fight experts predict Pacquiao’s awesome punching power and speed will prove too much for Larios, another Mexican in a growing roster of fighters including legends Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik “El Terrible” Morales who have been demolished by the ring warrior from Mindanao in recent years.

But those who are up close to the action in the boxing scene have cautioned Pacquiao against taking Larios lightly. Trainer Freddie Roach, while confident that Pacquiao can handle anything Larios brings to their July 2 encounter, says Larios is a conditioning freak and a tough guy who was, after all, a world champion not once but twice.

Reigning WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vasquez who lost to Larios once but beat him twice has warned that Larios gets stronger as the fight gets longer and judging by the footage ABS-CBN has shown it appears that Larios has,  just like Pacquiao, killed himself in training. The only difference being that Larios trained much longer than Pacquiao who, however, has the amazing capacity to get into top shape in a hurry.

But our countrymen who tend to demand so much from Pacquiao should remember that Manny could just as easily get out of shape if he doesn’t continue to train hard and stay focused over the next twelve days.

The first warning signs were given by Pacquiao himself when, in answer to several questions about his movie which did seem a little out of place for someone who is facing a crucial fight, that he would attend the premier of “Pacquiao The Movie” yesterday. We wonder what other comparatively irrelevant activities have been planned for him over the next few days that would sap his energy and distract him from what should be his only mission right now.

Pacquiao has this habit, which is nice in one way but hurts him in another, of refusing to say “no.” It seems to us that just about everybody who can come to within a few feet of Manny want a piece of the action and he enjoys giving them that piece. It may seem generous and kind but to us, its downright foolhardy.

Pacquiao's management team headed by Shelly Finkel and lawyers Nick Kahn and Keith Davidson had every right to file a lawsuit against Pacquiao for having entered into a contract for the July 2 fight in violation of their management agreement. But Finkel et al decided to withdraw the suit, commendably concerned that it was a distraction that Pacquiao didn't need at this time. Surely, all of us can take a lesson from their actions.   

Those who disturb Pacquiao during his training one way or another – and these include the pool sharks, the cockfighting breed, the showbiz people, the 20 percenters in his endorsement binge and even the television media  not to mention the growing numbers of hangers-on , are doing him a terrible disservice and our nation an even bigger disservice. Because Pacquiao is a national treasure and one of the very few we’ve got. He needs to be taken care of, protected and preserved so he could continue to excel in the ring, bring us pride and joy and honor to our country.