Smart Gilas skipper, television host, and all-around good guy Chris Tiu joins us in the final installment of Sparring Sessions, a series of interviews with pundits, bloggers, and boxing fans that discuss issues that affect Pacquiao, Filipino boxing, and combat sports in general, veering into topics that mainstream media rarely talk about. Tiu and the rest of the Smart Gilas team are currently in China to compete in the Asian Games, but before he left, he was gracious enough to talk about his former co-host, the Vegas crowd, and playing for Philippine pride.



Fire Quinito: You co-hosted a show with Manny Pacquiao, and at the time, both of you were still new to showbiz. How was the experience learning the ropes alongside the pound-for-pound champion?

Chris Tiu: Manny Pacquiao was actually the selling point that made me decide to enter media. GMA pitched the show to me and explained the entire concept, which I liked, of course. But when they told me my co-host would be MP, how can you actually turn down such an offer? Our national icon/idol. It's a great honor.

There were some perks too being his co-host. I was able to watch four of his fights live in Vegas, thanks to MP for the ringside tickets of course! He also flew me to LA to watch together a Celtics-Lakers game live at the Staples center on Christmas day in the VIP box!

During tapings, he was very playful and oftentimes he came up with witty remarks. Very easy to get along with and always smiling.

FQ: Aside from boxing, Pacquiao is know to have a deep passion for hoops. Do you ever talk about basketball? Did you get the chance to play?

CT: We never got the chance to play basketball.

FQ: Whenever Pacman enters the ring, he says that he carries with him the pride of our country. As an athlete who represents the country yourself as a member of Smart Gilas, how much does it add to one's performance knowing that the hopes of your countrymen are riding on your shoulders? What about the pressure?

CT: There's a lot of pressure but it's that pressure that brings out the best in an individual and team. You are encouraged to push yourself to the limit during trainings and games, knowing that you arerepresenting a country that is very passionate about basketball.

During games, you are so focused that you don't even think about the repercussions of missing a shot or making a mistake. If you screw up, you'll get criticized.

But that's life. People are entitled to their own opinion. What's important is that you know deep down inside that you did your very very best and dedicated yourself 100% during the preparation phase and in the actual competition. No one can take that away from you. If you succeed, then the rewards are even more fulfilling!

FQ: You've attended a Pacquiao fight live in Las Vegas before. How does the atmosphere in the crowd compare to Ateneo-La Salle games?

It is WILD in there, just like the Ateneo-La Salle games! It's just that there's no clear division between the crowd of the two camps, unlike in an ADMU-DLSU game where you can vividly see the sea of blue and green. In Vegas, you can be seated next to a Mexican fan or a British fan. So it's not surprising to see a 'side' fight between fans going on in the stands while the fight is ongoing.

Then you have all these big security men pulling away the violent fans. The worst part is that you can bring beer inside the arena, so just imagine mixing male hormones and beer. There's also big-time betting happening in all the casinos. Same here, but we're just a little more discreet.

FQ: What’s going to happen in the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight?

CT: I haven't been following the preparations too much but I believe Manny will win it! He is so experienced and I believe he is destined for greatness!

Follow Chris on Twitter (@chris_tiu), and check updates on his blog. His new show 'Hanep Buhay' premieres November 20 on GMA-7.