Cebu City bettors wager as much as P300,000 in Pacman fight

CROWD reaction at Tinago Gym in Cebu City where the supposed fight of the century between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was shown for free TONEE DESPOJO/CEBU DAILY NEWS

CEBU CITY—Bets in this city for boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in his now controversial fight against undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. went as high as P300,000.

In some cases, Pacquiao appeared to be the underdog as bettors stood to receive more should he win in what was dubbed the fight of the century.

A businessman placed an P8,000 bet on Pacquiao and stood to receive P10,000 if the Filipino won, according to a broker, who asked not to be named.

But he said at least two businessmen placed a wager of P300,000 each.

Betting here, however, was not limited to the wealthy.

Even security guards, taxi drivers and hotel personnel placed bets ranging from P100 to P500.

Businessman Dandy Omandac of Lutac, Naga City, said he and his friend placed a total bet of P5,000 for Pacquiao.

Their bets were accepted by a bank employee.

Omandac said he was confident that Pacquiao’s powerful punch would bring him victory.

A Cebuano engineer also put his P10,000 on Pacquiao. Another engineer put a bet of P10,000 on Pacquiao even if he felt that Mayweather would win the fight.

“To bet on Mayweather is not patriotic. I placed my bet on Pacquiao even if I had doubts whether he would win. Because I am a Filipino, I’ll support a Filipino,” he told the Inquirer.

Taxi driver Victor Melendres, 53, admitted putting his P50 on Mayweather “because he is an American and the fight will happen in America. The judges may favor him because of home court advantage.”

He clarified that he was not being anti-Filipino but rather being wise on his bet.

Merardo Sator, 44, a hotel employee, said he also placed a P100 bet on Mayweather because the American had a weight and height advantage over Pacquiao.

Charlyn Racho, who accepted Sator’s bet, said there was only one reason she placed her money on Pacquiao.

“A lot of persons have said I look like Jinky (Pacquiao’s wife),” she said, laughing.

Security guard Vicente Abello said he put his P100 on Pacquiao because he is a Filipino.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas warned the public and policemen against betting.

“It is immoral and illegal,” Lawas said.

Lawas said policemen could be charged administratively and criminally if caught betting. Civilians can also be charged criminally.

But he admitted that the case would prosper only if there was evidence.

“No evidence, no case,” Lawas said.