Pacquiao shakes off ankle sprain

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was reported to have sprained an ankle during a pick-up basketball game last Saturday.  

But he shook it off by heading to his own gym at the MP Tower in Manila yesterday afternoon and trained for nearly two hours.

“Wala naman sakit (There’s no pain),” Pacquiao told ex-pro Emil Romano who watched the 34-year-old superstar train at the gym.

Pacquiao did not show any effects of the said injury as he did 10 rounds of mitts with Erickson Asilo, a retired Filipino featherweight, three rounds of speed ball and two rounds on the double-end bag.

Pacquiao also skipped ropes for three rounds and shadow-boxed for two rounds. He arrived at the gym unannounced and caught people by surprise.

The re-elected congressman from Sarangani province is in Manila with his family. They attended an anniversary celebration of the River of God Church last Sunday.

Sports commentator Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN spoke to Pacquiao during the church rites and the Filipino superstar said he sprained his ankle because he was not wearing ankle support.

Castillejo was also at the gym when Pacquiao trained yesterday.

“He’s okay now. Parang wala na (Like nothing happened),” she texted The STAR yesterday.

Pacquiao will come off two straight losses when he faces Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 at The Venetian in Macau.

It’s three months to the fight and Pacquiao showing up at the gym is a clear sign that he’s not taking Rios lightly. He said he wants to train longer for this one.

Pacquiao needs an impressive win over Rios following his losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez last year. Another loss could mean the end of the road for the Pinoy boxer. 

Pacquiao loves to play basketball and it’s not the first time he got hurt while inside the court. He says it’s his way of staying in shape when outside the ring.

Freddie Roach will be in General Santos City for Pacquiao’s training.