US lawyers in town to brief Pacquiao

Two-time world champion Manny Pacquiao’s American lawyers Judd Burstein and Keith Davidson flew in from Los Angeles yesterday morning to brief the fighter on the progress of the case filed against New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad. The lawyers were accompanied by Jo Ramos, a former PBL player now living in Los Angeles.

Burstein and Davidson willl also interview witnesses in relation to Pacquiao’s case. Davidson told The Star a jury, not federal judge Loretta Preska, will decide the case.

Preska has set a hearing on June 20 in New York. A preliminary injunction was granted by Preska for Muhammad. A source said the injunction will not prevent Pacquiao from fighting in the US.

"In a worst case scenario, a portion of Manny’s purse will be held in escrow because of the injunction but he will be allowed to fight," noted the source.

Pacquiao is still chasing International Boxing Federation superfeatherweight champion Robbie Peden of Australia for a fight although World Boxing Council titlist Marco Antonio Barrera is also in pursuit of a unification duel. Another possibility is for Pacquiao to take on Carlos Hernandez who was recently decisioned by Jesus Chavez in an eliminator to decide Erik Morales’ next opponent.

Pacquiao’s next US fight will be on Sept. 10 or 17, a source intimated.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao will showcase a different arsenal of shots when he leads his Pacman team against Saranggani Gov. Migs Dominguez’ Saci squad in the featured game of the first Metro GenSan Basketball Association Open Championships at 5:30 p.m. today at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.

Pacquiao is expected to fly in from Manila this morning and play his first game in the 12-team tournament that reeled off last Friday. Pacquiao missed the inaugural rites because of a commitment in Manila and sat out Pacman’s initial assignment, which was a 93-86 win over Wizard Academy.

In Pacquiao’s absence, Pacman turned to former pro cager Jomer Rubi who led all scorers in keying the victory.

Pacquiao is Pacman’s playing assistant coach and team manager. He recruited seven players from Davao to beef up the squad coached by ex-Philippine Basketball League (PBL) player Choy del Rosario. A spot on the roster is reserved for Pacquiao who is donating P300,000 from the Emmanuel Pacquiao Foundation to defray tournament expenses.

Clem Asencio, president of the Metro GenSan Basketball Association and vice-chairman of the General Santos City Sports Council, said among the teams participating in the championships are the North Cotabato Braves of Gov. Manny Piñol, the Digos City team of Mayor Arsenio Latasa and the Cagayan de Oro All-Stars.

The winning team will receive a prize of P100,000 with the runner-up claiming P60,000, the third placer P30,000 and the fourth place P15,000. The MVP will pocket P5,000.

Asencio said Pacquiao plans to organize regional jousts in various sports to give athletes the opportunity to compete beyond the provincial level.