Top sports officials invited to PSA rites

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top sports officials lend their presence in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night as they lead in honoring the top achievers of 2011 in a special, formal rite at the Manila Hotel this Saturday.

At the forefront of the guests list are long-time International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia.

Also expected in attendance during the yearly bash organized by the country’s oldest media organization and presented by Smart, are sports commissioners Chito Loyzaga, Buddy Andrada, Akiko Thomson-Guevarra, Jolly Gomez, heads of the various national sports associations (NSAs), and friends and supporters of Philippine sports.

The occasion also gives Vice President Jejomar Binay, head of the Philippine Badminton Association (PBA), the time to bond with fellow NSA officials as he serves as keynote speaker and guest of honor in the celebration. DZSR Sports Radio 918 will be covering live and has for presentors Milo, Coca-Cola and the PSC.

Making up the 2011 PSA honor roll are a total of 85 awardees, led by co-Athlete of the Year winners Nonito Donaire Jr. and Dennis Orcollo.

Donaire won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight title with a sensational second round destruction of Mexican Fernando Montiel. He later successfully defended the belts with a unanimous 12-round decision against Omar Andres Narvaez of Argentina.

Orcollo meanwhile, won his first world crown by wresting the world 8-ball championship, before he capped the year by ending up as the no. 1 billiards player in the world.

A total of 19 personalities, on the other hand, will be the recipient of major awards during the two-hour gala also supported by ICTSI, Harbour Centre, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), SM Prime Holdings, and the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).