MANILA, Philippines - A youthful, dynamic sportsman-businessman who embodies today’s active breed of sports leaders will be the guest of honor in the PSA-Milo Annual Awards Night set Saturday at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel.
Globalport 900 Inc. team owner and well-known sports patron Mikee Romero joins the country’s oldest media organization in a two-hour special rites honoring the best and brightest of 2012.
Romero will be joined in the presidential table by the country’s top sports officials led by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping’ Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia.
PSA president Rey Bancod of Tempo said Romero’s passion and unwavering love for sports are unquestionable, having been involved in basketball, baseball, cycling, shooting, mixed martial arts, and recently, volleyball and polo.
His youthful enthusiasm also makes him a perfect fit as guest speaker of the gala night celebrating the emergence of the young crop of potential athletes as gleamed by the huge number of recipients for the Tony Siddayao Awards and the naming of the Milo Junior Athletes of the Year.
The affair, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, Smart, Meralco, Rain or Shine, Globalport 900, Philippine Basketball Association, Senator Chiz Escudero, ICTSI and Philippine Golf Tour, LBC, SM Prime Holdings, and San Miguel Corp., will be aired live over DZSR Sports Radio 918.
The guest appearance of the former basketball godfather couldn’t have come at a better time.
The former De La Salle player had just finished hosting a two-day polo festival at the Alabang Country Club field in his bid to familiarize the sport here in the country.
He is likewise the team manager of the La Salle Lady Spikers who won a third straight UAAP women’s volleyball championship two weeks ago.
“That only shows how passionate Mr. Mikee Romero is as far as uplifting Philippine sports is concerned,†said Bancod.
Romero and the rest of the top ranking sports officials are expected to personally present the coveted Athlete of the Year award to co-winners Nonito Donaire Jr., Josie Gabuco, Ateneo Blue Eagles team, and the Manila women’s softball team.
2012 PSA Final List of Awardees
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Nonito Donaire Jr./Team Manila women’s softball team
Josie Gabuco/Ateneo Blue Eagles team
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Smart Pilipinas
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Chito Salud
MAJOR AWARDEES
Mary Grace Delos Santos (athletics), Brian Viloria (boxing),
Johnriel Casimero (boxing), Donnie Nietes (boxing),
Sonny Boy Jaro (boxing), Baler Ravina (cycling), Mark Galedo (cycling)
Tony Lascuna (pro golf), Dottie Ardina (amateur golf),
Mark Caguioa (pro basketball), Bobby Ray Parks (amateur basketball), Dragon Boat team, Princess Joanna Mae Ylanan (karate),
Hagdang Bato (horseracing), Jonathan Hernandez (horseracing), Mikaela Calamba (taekwondo), Vincent Floirendo (motorsports)
OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
Axel Toni Ngui, Kirsten Chloe Daos
NSAs OF THE YEAR
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP),
National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP)
TONY SIDDAYAO AWARDS
Albert Lim (tennis), Alieson Ken Omengan (wushu),
Shania Mae Mendoza (chess),
Charles Bonagua (karate), Alex Lay (karate), Jurence Mendoza (tennis), Princess Superal (golf), Jed Dy (golf),
Malvinne Alcala (badminton), Mark Shelley Alcala (badminton),
Mark Reggie Flores (motocross), Michael Christian Martinez (skating), Clark Cruz (powerlifting)
MR FOOTBALL
Chieffy Caligdong , Ed Sacapano
CITATIONS
Kenneth San Andres (motocross), Johnny Arcilla (tennis),
men’s 4x4 relay team (athletics SEA Games gold medalists),
Erlinda Lavandia (athletics), Jessie Aligaga, Denbert Arcita (wushu),
Frankie Minoza (golf), Jayvee Agojo (golf), Monica Torres (triathlon),
August Benedicto (triathlon), Mirasol Abad (duathlon),
Oliver Barbosa (chess), Johan Aguilar (swimming),
Raniel Resuello (superbikes), VJ Suba (karting), Alaska sports, AKTV