PSA honors top athletes
Friday, January 19th, 2007The best and brightest in Philippine sports who made 2006 a truly memorable one will be honored Thursday afternoon in a momentous, two-hour rite during the SMC-PSA Annual Awards at the Entertainment Hall of the SM Mall of Asia.
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao banners the 68 sports figures and personalities to be feted by the country’s oldest media organization composed of sportswriters from the national broadsheets and tabloids.
Pacquiao, considered one of the biggest attractions in the boxing world today and among the best fighters, pound for pound, is the recipient of the Athletes of the Year award, an honor he shares with seven others—billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, World Pool champion Ronnie Alcano, bowler Biboy Rivera and the Doha Asian Games gold medal quartet of Joan Tipon, Violito Payla, Antonio Gabica and Rene Catalan.
A once-in-a-lifetime award—Bayani ng Lahi—will also be conferred on the 28-year-old Pacquiao for his inspiring two knockout victories over Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales that capped a banner year for RP sports.
On hand to lead in honoring last year’s sports heroes is Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, who is the guest of honor of the event to be aired live over DZSR Sports Radio and telecast on NBN-4 on a delayed basis.
Ramon Ang, San Miguel Corp. chief operation officer and president, will deliver an inspirational speech during the 3 to 5 p.m. affair.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Presidential Assistant for Youth and Sports Ali Atienza and the country’s other top sports officials are also expected to grace the program sponsored by San Miguel Corp., SM Mall of Asia, PSC, POC, Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, Welcoat Paints of owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que, Mikee Romero’s Harbour Centre, Teletech, sportsman Hermie Esguerra, Air21, NBN-4 and DZSR Sports Radio.
PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad and Gretchen Malalad, a multititled karateka in the Southeast Asian Games, host the affair.
Following the program proper is a postevent party to be directed by famed concert organizer Sazi Cosino, with top bands The Dawn, Mojofly, Rocksteddy, Join the Club, Dream Kitchen and Pancake 80 performing.
Reference: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=63512
Sportswriters honor RP’s best athletes today
….. PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad and Gretchen Malalad, a multi-titled karateka in the Southeast Asian Games, will host the affair.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports2_jan18_2007
