PSA to honor sports legends

MANILA, Philippines - The eminent former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Rodrigo Salud, first ever lady commissioner Josefina Bauzon, champion rider Mico Buncio, and fearsome cager Alberto “Big Boy” Reynoso.

They are just some of the prominent personalities who will be extolled in next week’s Annual Awards Night of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) at the Manila Hotel.

Aside from the four, eight others are also to be given short, but meaningful tribute in the March 3 rite presented by Smart.

The posthumous list includes two-time chess Olympian Mirabeau Maga, PBA pioneers Dave Regullano and Epoy Alcantara, former National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) secretary-general Willie Abalos, one-time national team cycling coach Arsenio Tado, sports photographer Ruben Esguerra, and DZSR Sports radio broadcaster Belma Ignacio and Benjie Sagalongos.

As in the past, a minute of prayer and silence will be offered upon them by the country’s oldest media organization headed by PSA president Rey Bancod of Tempo.

But other than remembering their memories, the formal bash, co-presented by ICTSI, SM Prime Holdings, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Harbour Centre, Milo, the PBA, and Coca-Cola, and aired live over DZSR Sports Radio 918, also serves as a celebration in honor of the top Filipino sports achievers who did the country proud in 2011.

Heading the list of 85 awardees are the co-winners of the Athlete of the Year honor – world No. 1 billiards player Dennis Orcollo, and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight king Nonito Donaire Jr.

Keynote speaker and guest of honor Vice President Jejomar Binay will personally lead in awarding to Orcollo and Donaire their elegant PSA trophies.

Awardees

Athletes of the Year:  Dennis Orcollo,  Nonito Donaire Jr.

PSA Presidential Achievement Award: Juvic Pagunsan

Executive of the Year: Ricky Vargas

Major Awardees: Brian Villoria (pro boxing), Ana Julaton (pro boxing),Donnie Nietes (pro boxing), Mark Anthony Barriga (amateur boxing), Efren “Bata” Reyes (billiards), Rubilen Amit (billiards), Jessie Aligaga (wushu), Dembert Arcita (wushu), Dragon Boat team, Jimmy Alapag (pro basketball), Calvin Abueva (amateur basketball), Bobby Parks Jr.(amateur basketball), Jhonnel Ababa (pro golf), Dottie Ardina (amateur golf), Rupert Zaragosa (amateur golf), Magna Carta (Horse of the Year), Jesse Guce (Jockey of the Year), Kenneth San Andres (motocross), Malvinne Ann Alcala (badminton)

National Sports Associations of the Year: Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP), Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP)

Tony Siddayao Award: Eumir Marcial, Markie Alcala, Raymond Debuque, Jeron Teng, Rustom Lim

Top Achievers: Marestella Torres (athletics), Darwin Dela Calzada (baseball),

Oliver Barbosa (chess), Rachel Daquis (volleyball), Monica Torres (triathlon), Nikko Huelgas (triathlon), John Paul Lizardo (taekwondo)

Mr. Football: Phil Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong

Special Citation: 26th Southeast Asian gold medalists, Ateneo Blue Eagles, San Beda Red Lions, Lea Coline Langit, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Josephine Medina, Ernie Gawilan

Posthumous: Rudy Salud, Josie Bauzon, Mico Buncio, Big Boy Reynoso, Mirabeau Maga, Dave Regullano, Epoy Alcantara, Willie Abalos, Arsenio Tado, Ruben Esguerra, Belma Ignacio, Benjie Sagalongos