MANILA - The camp of Krista Ranillo thanked world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao for being "a true gentleman" by denying the alleged affair with the young sexy actress.

"I'm glad that Manny took the initiative in issuing an apology to the Ranillo family, who has been suffering from anguish because of all the unfounded rumors linking him to Krista,” said the actress’s talent manager, Arnold Vegafria, in a statement.

Vegafria said he hopes Pacquiao’s denial on the reported illicit affair will finally put the issue to rest.

“For what he just did, I commend Manny for being not just a legendary boxing hero, but a true gentleman even outside the ring," he said.

On Monday Pacquiao, who previously refused to address the issue, flatly denied the alleged affair between him and Ranillo.

He maintained that the actress, who is part of his upcoming film, "Wapakman," is just a close friend.

The pound-for-pound king also apologized to the entire Ranillo family.

"Pasensiya na at hindi ko naman ginusto na masira 'yong pamilya niyo. Dumating lang talaga 'yong pagkakataon na sinakyan ng [publiko] at nagkaroon ng isyu," Pacquiao said in his interview with another television network.

In her first interview since the controversy broke out, Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, also did not deny that the rumor has caused friction between her and her husband.

However, she remained optimistic that she and Manny could hurdle what she considered the biggest problem in their marriage so far.

"Hindi naman tayo binibigyan ng problema ng Diyos kung hindi natin kaya. I'm sure maaayos din ito with the help of the Lord,” she said.

Krista has been at the center of the controversy ever since she admitted that she saw Pacquiao in Hong Kong in a chance encounter. Since then, photos and video of them together have been uploaded and circulated in the Internet.