MACAU - Call this the calm before the storm.
On the eve of his ring comeback, Pacquiao was looking relaxed and in a cheerful mood as he spent the whole of Saturday after the weigh-in resting in his suite ahead of the Brandon Rios fight.
“Sinunod ni boss ang lahat ng bilin ni coach (Freddie) Roach,” said Pacquiao's head of security Caloy Homo while looking after his boss who was having his dinner with close friends.
“Iba ang focus ni boss ngayon. Ito ang pinakamahabang ensayo namin… mahigit dalawang buwan. Halos tatlo pa ata,” added the former military man.
Pacquiao partook of dinner prepared by his nutrionist Nonoy Neri, a mix of pakbet, steamed lapu-lapu, tinolang manok, steak and boiled asparagus.
Roach said he asked Pacquiao to avoid going out of his suite.
“I asked for him to go outside for a walk, but he said no. I understand … outside is not the best place in the world for him,” said Roach.
The five-time Trainer of the Year also bared how they will watch Pacquiao’s food intake as they don’t want him to bulk up too much so they can maintain his speed - his biggest weapon against Rios.
“The biggest thing tomorrow when Manny wakes up, he has his breakfast … we’re gonna give him a meal and half atleast before the fight. We don’t have time for two meals. We don’t want to wake him up at 4 in the morning and have him take meals,” said Roach.
Meanwhile, some politician friends of Pacquiao have already paid him a visit, among them Senator JV Ejercito, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, former La Union governor Vic Ortega and his wife former San Fernando, La Union mayor Mary Jane Ortega.
Former President Joseph Estrada, who Pacquiao has personally invited to watch the fight, is also expected to be part of the crowd at the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena inside the posh Venetian Hotel.
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