It looks like New WBC Superfeatherweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s newest opponents right now are not fellow boxers, but a group of Filipinos who are questioning whether he really won that rematch bout last March 15 in Las Vegas against Juan Manuel Marquez or not.

WBC lightweight champion David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, [who’s itching for a 2nd rematch with Pacquiao] and WBO Interim Lightweight champion Joel Casamayor, [whom Pacquiao says he is willing to fight at the right price] may all be waiting to get in the ring with him, but for now , the Filipino boxing superstar is countering quick jabs from his very own “kababayans” [countrymen], the people he had expected would only give him the loudest cheers.

Manila Bulletin Online reports Manny Pacquiao came home to a hero’s welcome in Manila this week, and as was his habit after every win, went to hear a thanksgiving mass at Quiapo Church.

Manny and his wife, Jinky were met with cheers and applause from the congregation, as well as high praise for his devoutness from the officiating priest, calling him an evangelizer—- showing the world his faith, every time he makes the sign of the cross before every round.

But this lovefest was short-lived as Inquirer.net reports that during the press conference later that morning, “The Destroyer” grimaced at questions about his split-decision win over Marquez, Pacquiao expressed hurt and called this disbelief over the results of the fight as “crab mentality”.

In this fight outside the ring, it seems “Pac-man’s” up against Team Crab.

In the press conference, Pacquiao said: “It’s our fellow-Filipinos who doubt my win, and some are even calling for an investigation.”

Pacquiao must wonder where the national solidarity and pride that comes with one of his other nicknames “Ang Pambansang Kamao” [The National Fist] went, when he heard this news.

Growing up and especially while working in the Philippines, I’ve seen and also experienced many instances where “crab mentality” can destroy families, neighbors and colleagues, where a few decide to pull down and discredit those who are more successful than them. It’s a trait one hopes no longer passes on to the community here in the United States, and one day can be eliminated from the Filipino psyche. But such an entrenched value system will be hard to break.

Pacquiao was also quoted in the press conference as saying: “In America, nobody says Marquez won. The only ones who are saying Marquez won are his trainer and his camp…and of course that’s natural…here in America, they were convinced about my win.”

Just a few of those legion of fans in the U.S. were glued to the action in the Las Vegas ring last week. Regina Reyes of ABS-CBN International’s Fil-Am daily newscast, Balitang America [News in America], aired over The Filipino Channel, talked to Filipinos in the San Francisco Bay Area watching the fight on Pay-Per-View TV. Reyes says one home in Daly City squeezed in more than 50 family members in front of the TV to watch the fight together; while a Filipino restaurant in Union City, Gerry’s Grill was transformed into a sports bar with more than 200 fans cheering their idol.

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In the “Balitang America” news report, one fan says he watches every Pacquiao fight and even went to Manny’s open media workout in a San Francisco gym before his bout with Marquez.

And another fan commented, “Pareho silang magaling, pero palagay ko si Manny mas mahaba ang stamina saka talagang naka-prepare sa laban na to. [They’re both very good, but I think Manny has more stamina and he really prepared for this fight.]”

Last year, reports in Philippine media had also pointed to many of Manny’s fans who were equally “elated” when Pacquaio lost his bid for a Congressional seat. They felt being a politician would corrupt him and ruin his career as a boxer.

After a morning of doubts and grimaces, Pacquiao, would have only looked forward to enjoying the smiles and cheers from his fellow-Pinoys, when they inducted him into the Elorde Hall of Fame, capping his homecoming day in the Philippines, as reported by ABS-CBN News . He became the first-ever recipient for the Elorde Hall of Fame Award. Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was one of the original Philippine boxing icons, who was the longest-reigning lightweight champion who held the WBC and WBA belts for 7 years in the 1960’s.

During the event, Pacquiao said he was deeply honored by this accolade and comparison to a legend like Elorde. He said it was a moment he will never forget, and perhaps helped him forget at least in that moment, the sparring from Team Crab.