SAC to fete Cebu sports stars

CEBU, Philippines - Who's the athlete of the year?  The longest-reigning world champion? The fastest Pinay marathoner? Or the next big thing in Philippine basketball?

That question will be answered on March 31, when the Sportswriters Association of Cebu honors the best of Cebu sports in the annual SAC-SMB Sports Awards at the Ayala Activity Center.

Leading this year's list of major awardees are also the major achievers of Phl sports –world champion Donnie Nietes, who became the longest reigning Pinoy champion; two-time Milo marathon national champion Mary Joy Tabal; and PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo, formerly of the University of Cebu and is now one of the biggest superstars in the pro league.

"Cebu sports was blessed in 2014.  It’s fitting that we, the sportswriters, recognize the athletes and individuals who made Cebu stand out once again," said SAC president Rico Navarro.

The other major awardees are World Softball Championships-bound Isaac Bacarisas, Jasper Cabrera, Ben Maravilles, Oscar Bradshaw IV, Jerome Bacarisas, Fiba World 3-on-3 campaigner Aldrich Ramos, Asian Beach Games campaigners and Nestea beach volleyball champions Edmar Bonono and Edward Ybañez, International Master Kim Steven Yap, cyclists Niño Surban and John Mier, dancesport champion Charlea Lagaras and Ronnie Vergara and national youth team standouts Itsuko Bacatan, Alexandrea Gumilao, Arantxa Mari Trebol, Jan Reese Jumawan, Alexa Ceniza.

Also set to receive major awards are Milo National outstanding athlete for gymnastics Daniella Reggie de la Pisa, Asian Youth Games medalist Kiyomi Watanabe, Asian Beach Games medalist Joel Zaspa, World Championship of Pingpong bronze medalist Richard Gonzales, and taekwondo's Clement Tan, MacAvyngr Alob, Nichole Maurin, Rinna Babanto, Glen Lava.

Triathlon pro Joseph Miller will also receive a major award along with multi-gold winners Frederic Yuan Chiongbian and Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon.

All major awardees are candidates for the Athlete of the Year, which will be announced on the awards night.

SAC will also hand out citations. Those who will receive citations are Mike Lopez, Ninolito Justiane, Ivan Miguel Santos, Lloyd Apawan, Vincent Villa, Zinah Marichelle Bejosa and the Southwestern University college, UV Passerelle, UV 16-Under and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu basketball teams.

Basketball players Mark Tallo, Felixberto Jabonetta IV, Greg Slaughter, Jerick Canada, Kent Vincent Moral, Ken Gato, Arnie Christian Padilla, Andres Desiderio, Dave Yu and Leonard Santillan, will also receive citations along with Jade Becaldo, Louije Tipgos, UV and SWU in beach volleyball.

Boxers Milan Melindo, Genesis Servania, Arthur Villanueva, Ian Refuela, Junrel Jimenez, Kit Garces, Jorge Edusma, Vicente Sios-e, John Nino Vega, Albert and Jason Pagara and Team Mandaue will also receive citations along with Rubilen Amit, Warren Kiamco, Jomar Jumapao, Alexis Sy and Xyrra Cabusas.

Others who will be feted are Elwin Retanal, Dwyane Abella, Kyle Sevillano, Jerish Velarde, Catherine Quiñanola, Laila Camel Nadera, Ica Maximo, Dancesports Team Cebu City, Dandoy Tongco, Rafael Trinidad, Joshua and Jan Joseph Suson, Cviraa football team, Don Bosco futsal team, Joaquin Buyco, Charles Unabia, Enzo Ceniza, Jesse Semblante, Kyle Ronquillo, Marcel Ouano, Roygbiv Barro, Leo Maquiling, LJ Go, Charles Hong, Joaquin Fernandez, Vince Rojo, Craig Aleman, Nino Avilla, Precious Belicario, Charen Villamor, Karylle Perez, Hayashi-ha Shitoryukai Karatedo team, Rafael Vidal, Yawyan ArDigma, Ken Caniga, Lara Jane Flores, Jon Eleazer Adlawan, BJ Pepito, Aiumi Ono, Madille Salinas, Cebu Lady Dragons, Maritess Bitbit, Brian Guillan, Noel Tillor, Michael Tuba, Frances Lim, Rhey Ortouste, Metodio Suico, Psalm Deniel Aquino, Ichiro Kong, Lorendale Echavez, University of Cebu table tennis team, Berto Bas, Sherlyn Love Gabisay, Luiji Estrada, Veronica Garces, Mayn Corna, Zozen Prajes, Wendil Rama, Dineson Caneda, Jan Godfrey Seno, Arthur Pantino, Zethley Alfrez, Shyne Villareal, Jana Pages, Jerico Bohol, Justin Chiongbian, John Philip Dueñas, Kristian Lim, Lorhiz Lopez, Simon Solon, Central Visayas volleyball team, Mattnew Navace, Isabel Molde, Leonida Cambajiran, Evangelit Ceniza and Luis Ansag.--Pooled Report  (FREEMAN)