MANILA — Big day for Filipino athletes whose sports excellence will be recognized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night presented by San Miguel and MILO at the Le Pavillon in Pasay City on Monday.
Weighlifter Hidilyn Diaz, a silver medalist in the Rio De Janeiro Olympics, will receive the time-honored Athlete of the Year award.
The 25-year-old Diaz of Zamboanga and elite member of Philippine Air Force (PAF) leads 91 other sports honorees.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco lead the local sports community in bestowing honor to all the awardees.
The 2016 PSA Awards Night Honor Roll List: Athlete of the Year – Hidilyn Diaz; Lifetime Achievement Award – Eugene Torre; President’s Award – Milo Rivera; Executive of the Year – Philip Ella Juico; National Sports Association of the Year – Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa); Mr. Basketball – June Mar Fajardo; Mr. Football – Misagh Bahadoran; Mr. Golf – Miguel Tabuena; Mr. Taekwondo – Jeordan Dominguez; Ms. Volleyball – Mika Reyes.
Major Award – Josephine Medina (paralympics), Janelle Mae Frayna (chess), Eric Shauwn Cray (athletics), Marestella Torres-Sunang (athletics), Mary Joy Tabal (marathon), Ian Lariba (table tennis), Kirstie Elaine Alora (taekwondo), Nestor Colonia (weightlifting), Philippine Poomsae Team (Jean Pierre Sabido, Ernesto Guzman Jr., Jeordan Dominguez, Glenn Lava), San Miguel Beer (pro basketball), Jeron Alvin Teng (amateur basketball), Johnriel Casimero (boxing), Yuka Saso (golf), Eduard Folayang (mixed martial arts), Marvin Mangulabnan (superbike), Mark Alvarez (Jockey of the Year), Low Profile (Horse of the Year)
Citation – Ernest John Obiena (athletics), Chezka Centeno (billiards), Rogen Ladon (boxing), Charly Suarez (boxing), Marlon Tapales (boxing), Gretchen Abaniel (boxing), Jerwin Ancajas (boxing), Criztian Pitt Laurente (boxing), Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio (cycling), Sofia Chabon (golf), Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (golf), Annie Ramirez (jiu-jitsu), Margarita Ochoa (jiu-jitsu), Joseph Myers (jiu-jitsu), Orencio James delos Santos (karate), Jacob Ang (karting), Brandon Michael Vera (mixed martial arts), Kenneth San Andres (motocross), Pauline Louise Lopez (taekwondo), Juvenile Faye Crisostomo (taekwondo), Patrick John Tierro (tennis), Monica Torres (triathlon), August Benedicto (triathlon), Divine Wally (wushu), Arnel Mandal (wushu), Ramon “Tats” Suzara (volleyball), Johnny Tan (motorsports), National University Lady Bulldogs (women’s basketball), National University Pep Squad (cheerdance), Pocari Sweat (volleyball), RC Cola-Army (volleyball), Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Philippine Fencing Team, Philippine Sailing Team, Philippine Sepak Takraw Team, Phillippine Canoe Kayak Federation, United Football League (UFL), Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), Pru Life (football), TV 5, UNTV; Milo Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Adam Bondoc (karatedo); Milo Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Kyla Soguilon (swimming).
Philippine’s first chess grandmaster, Eugene Torre will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Other notable titles to be handed out – President’s Award (Milo Rivera), Executive of the Year (Philip Ella Juico), and National Sports Association of the Year (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association-PATAFA).
Tony Siddayao Award – Ancilla Mari Manzano (gymnastics), Khazart William ‘Khaz’ Romoff (karting), Joan Masangkay (powerlifting), Arielle Pascual (skating), Maurice Sacho Ilustre (swimming), Jerard Dominic Jacinto (swimming), Marc Bryan Dula (swimming), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (swimming), Tara Borlain (triathlon), Samantha Borlain (triathlon).
Posthumous Award – Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga, Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, Mariano “Tom” Ong, Cecil Hechanova, Ronnie Nathanielsz, Herminigildo “Hermie” Rivera, Jonas Mariano, Gilbert Bulawan, Emy Arcilla, Benjie Castro, Rogie Maglinas. Primo Agatep/PNA