Manny may yet reunite with Rod

Manny Pacquiao and Rod Nazario have taken the first step toward reconciliation.

After news reports came out Thursday that their long-running boxer-business manager relationship is on the rocks, the two have already met twice in less than 24 hours.

Pacquiao dropped by unannounced at the Nazario-owned Wild Card Gym in Parañaque City Thursday evening. He only stayed there for a while before heading home which was just a few blocks away from the gym.

After a brief conversation aimed at settling their perceived differences, a second meeting was set and held yesterday noon at a restaurant near the Parañaque gym.

Again, Nazario showed Pacquiao photocopies of checks which the former paid to the US International Revenue Service representing the boxer’s previous fights in the US.

Pacquiao and Nazario, according to a source, were both in a "good mood" during the meeting which definitely won’t be the last.

Pacquiao was scheduled to fly back to his hometown in Gen. Santos City either yesterday or today to think things over.

After Nazario vehemently denied last Tuesday that he had been remiss in remitting Pacquiao’s taxes to the IRS since 2001, he said he was ready to part ways with his long-time ward.

Nazario said he is giving Pacquiao the right to choose between him or the new group handling Pacquiao, including American manager Shelly Finkel, lawyers Keith Davidson and Nick Khan and trainer Freddie Roach.

Nazario accused this group of "poisoning the mind" of Pacquiao that he has erred in his duties and responsibilities as business manager.

"Nilason nila ang isip ni Manny. Ang problema, nakinig si Manny. So if anyone among these people, including Roach, ay hindi niya kaya bitawan, then I’ll be out," said Nazario in his ultimatum.

He maintained the same stand during yesterday’s meeting. Pacquiao, on his part, asked for some time to think things over with his wife Jinkee and close associates.

There’s some ray of hope in this case.