PSA fetes year's best in RP sports

MANILA, Philippines - The men and women athletes who fought and conquered in various battlefields a year ago get their well-deserved dues tonight when the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) confers on them its highest accolade during the Annual Awards Night presented by Coca-Cola at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

Manny Pacquiao, the universally recognized pound-for-pound fighter in boxing today, and the all-female quintet of pool player Rubilen Amit, long jumper Marestella Torres and taekwondo jins Camille Alarilla, Janice Lagman and Rani Ann Ortega head the more than 70 personalities and entities to be toasted during the two-hour rites hosted by the country’s oldest news organization. 

The program will be emceed by Formula-3 driver-turned-model Gabby dela Merced and popular sportscaster and STAR columnist Quinito Henson.

Pacquiao is the year’s recipient of the Athlete of the Decade honor for his consistent brilliancy in the ring, while Amit, Torres, Alarilla, Lagman and Ortega are the recipients of the prestigious Athlete of the Year award following their major triumphs on the international front in 2009.

Senator Francis `Chiz’ Escudero will deliver an inspirational message as special guest of honor during the event also presented by Smart, Pacific Online System Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Harbour Centre, Accel and the PCSO.DZSR Sports Radio 918 is airing the affair live.

Joining Escudero and the country’s sportswriting fraternity in paying respect to Filipino athletes are top sports officials led by International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose `Peping’ Cojuangco and PSC chairman Harry Angping.

A list that includes women’s boxing champion Annie Albania, ring titlists Nonito Donaire Jr., Rodel Mayol, Brian Viloria, Donnie Nietes and Marvin Sonsona, pool legends Efren `Bata’ Reyes and Francisco `Django’ Bustamante, chess whiz Wesley So, netters Cecil Mamiit and Francis Casey Alcantara, golfers Chihiro Ikeda and Elmer Salvador, trackster Arniel Ferreira, judoka John Baylon, cyclist Joel Calderon, jockey Jesse B. Guce, champion horse Don Enrico and basketball MVP JayJay Helterbrand will be recognized with a major award for their respective achievements in 2009.

Not to be missed out are the 25th Southeast Asian Games gold medalists who will receive a special award for leading the country to a fighting fifth in the biennial meet in Vientiane, Laos.

Two promising athletes in Patricia Llena and Carlos Philippe Winsett Palanca are receiving the Tony Siddayao Youth award, while the National Sports Association of the Year will be bestowed on the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

Ten honorees, led by back-to-back UAAP men’s basketball champion Ateneo and the world titlist dragon boat team, will receive citations.

 Also part of the program that will have Viva recording artist Triz Reyes serenading all awardees is the tribute to sports greats and officials who passed away last year.

The complete list of awardees

Athlete Of The Decade - Manny Pacquiao

Athletes Of The Year - Rubilyn Amit, Marestella Torres, Rani Ann Ortega, Janice Lagman, and Camille Alarilla

Major Awardees - Arniel Ferreira (athletics), Jayjay Helterbrand (basketball), Rodel Mayol (pro boxing), Donnie Nietes (pro boxing), Brian Viloria (pro boxing), Nonito Donaire Jr (pro boxing), Marvin Sonsona (pro boxing), Annie Albania (amateur boxing), Efren “Bata” Reyes (billiards), Francisco “Django” Bustamante (billiards),Wesley So(chess), Joel Calderon (cycling), Elmer Salvador (men’s golf), Chihiro Ikeda (women’s golf), John Baylon (judo), Cecil Mamiit (tennis), Francis Casey Alcantara (tennis), Jesse B. Guce (Jockey of the Year), Don Enrico (Horse of the Year).

Special Awards - Gold medalists in 2009 Laos SEA Games 

NSA Of The Year - Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa)

Tony Siddayao Award - Patricia Llena Carlos Philippe Winsett Palanca

Citations - Ajay Pathak, Dragon boat team, Ateneo Blue Eagles, Lily Picante,Hong Sung Chon, Philippine Olympic Festival, Josephine Medina, Ernie Gawilan, Enzo Pastor, Jonathan Tiu