Top Rank founder and chief executive officer Robert “Bob” Arum made the rightful retraction days after leading Filipino ring icon and senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to an eruption on social media.
In an exclusive interview with fellow sportswriter and good friend Josef Ramos of The Manila Times, the 88-year-old took back his statement claiming Pacquiao is planning to throw his hat on Presidency two years from now.
Arum admitted that he “over concluded” what was told to him by Pacquiao during a recent Zoom conference where they discussed about the latter’s supposed to be next boxing match.
“I mean, you know, that was what it seemed like he was implying. I should not have said anything. I apologize for that,” Arum said. “When he decides to run, he will be the one to make an announcement.”
Pacquiao was bashed heavily by woke netizens after Arum came up with a controversial quote that the eight-division world boxing champion is eyeing to replace President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Filipino boxer quickly denied Arum’s statement and said his political plans were never part of the discussion with his former boxing promoter. Even talking about it, according to the senator, is ill-advised, especially in this time of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Sadly, it was Pacquiao who was on the losing end of Arum’s unsolicited statement. It made the Filipino champ look like he used the pandemic to prop up his name come 2022 and also look insensitive.
It was still welcoming for Arum to issue a public apology and a retraction even if it is a little too late as Pacquiao was already bombarded on social media by angry comments questioning his political capability.
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Rivals for several years during their high school days in Iloilo City, Ilonggo guard Ronald Tubid already knew that Negrense James Yap of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters was destined for Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) stardom.
“Si James (Yap) nakalaban ko sa Iloilo eh. Fourth year na yata ako. Si James naman second year,” Tubid said in an interview during the CPT Crossover. “So, noong time na ‘yon, I was dragging James all the time. Sabi ko, ‘Oh my God, second year pa lang si James pero pang PBA na ‘yung laro.’”
Ever since high school, pang PBA-caliber na talaga si James. Hindi ko talaga ina-ano na pang PBA talaga si James kasi agile, tall, (may) ball handling, and shooting… Lahat eh,” he added.
The two became teammates in the Iloilo selection team during the late 90s and became teammates anew in the University of the East. The partnership, however, did not produce a UAAP title.
“Siguro hindi lang kami sinuwerte. May breaks of the game,” said Tubid as the Red Warriors failed to reach the finals of the UAAP in 2002 as they were beaten by Ateneo Blue Eagles in the semifinals through a game-winner by Gec Chia./PN
