‘Will Mayweather run or slug it out?’

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao held court inside the Kia dugout as the team prepared for the game against Talk N Text yesterday at the Big Dome.

Pacquiao, the playing-coach, was in his red-and-white Kia uniform and sat on a cushion as he fielded questions from members of the press.

The questions did not revolve around the basketball game that was about to be played. They concerned Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao was asked what his game plan is for the highly anticipated showdown with the undefeated American.

“Just use my left and right,” was his quick answer.

Pacquiao, the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes, can hurt his opponent with either hand.

On May 2, Pacquiao and Mayweather will square off before a world audience. It’s the richest fight in boxing history.

The STAR asked Pacquiao if he expects Mayweather to go toe-to-toe.

“You think Mayweather will run?” was the question.

“Hindi natin alam (We don’t know). Pwedeng hindi. Pero pwede din (He may or may not),” said the 36-year-old Pacquiao.

It will depend on how the fight turns out.

“Pag masaktan tatakbo yun (If he gets hurt he will run). Pag hindi nasaktan, pwede lumaban (Otherwise, he might engage),” he said.

Pacquiao has been flexing his muscles for the big fight up ahead. He’s been in and out of his gym in General Santos City the past week.

Yesterday, he flew to Manila for the PBA game. He was at the Big Dome hours before the game, and joined the team in the pre-game shootaround.

Pacquiao said he will still be around when Kia plays Blackwater on Saturday at the San Juan Arena.

Then he flies to Los Angeles in the evening to begin serious training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.