PBA fetes Pacquiao, Paeng in inaugurals

By Nelson Beltran
Philippine Star
Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The Philippine Basketball Association is planning to invite Philippine sports heroes Manny Pacquiao and Paeng Nepomuceno as special guests during its 33rd season opening ceremonies Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, toasting them for their recent triumphs abroad.

Pacquiao reaffirmed his mastery of Mexican ring idol Marco Antonio Barrera in their return bout last Sunday in Las Vegas while Nepomuceno rolled perfect games in seven days following his victory in the South Pacific Bowling Classic in Melbourne.

The two may be asked to do the ceremonial toss in the opening game between Magnolia and Air21.

“Manny Pacquiao and Paeng Nepomuceno continue to make us Filipinos proud. It’s only fitting for us to salute them,” said PBA board chairman Tony Chua.

Preseason tournament champion Purefoods and Fiesta Cup titlist Alaska Milk tangle with Sta. Lucia Realty and Talk n Text, respectively, Wednesday.

Barangay Ginebra opens its All-Filipino title defense against Red Bull Wednesday, preceding the Coca-Cola-Welcoat tiff at the Astrodome.

Then Purefoods and Talk n Text are up against each other in the Smart Philippine Cup’s first out-of-town showcase Saturday at the Lamberto Macias Complex in Dumaguete.

Nine road games are set in the season-opening tourney with the PBA also visiting Roxas City, General Santos City, Tacloban, Lucena, Laoag, Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro.

Meanwhile, PBA interim commissioner Sonny Barrios fined Danny Seigle and gave Billy Mamaril a stern warning after figuring in a fight in a recent tune-up game.

Barrios had a separate conference with Arwind Santos, looking into a complaint lodged by a lawyer who filed separate court cases against the Air21 player.

“Basically, it’s an issue for child support, a matter of haggling. Arwind said he’s prepared to honor his commitment and provide support to the child,” said Barrios.

Santos is facing bigamy charges before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office while abandonment and demand for financial support were filed at the Batangas regional trial court.