Annual SAC Awards set March 26 at Ayala

CEBU, Philippines - The best of Cebu sports will again be feted in the annual Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Beer Sports Awards on March 26 at the Ayala Activity Center.

The Cebuano world champions in boxing, taekwondo and billiards, as well as rising stars in the PBA will recieve plaudits this year for their achievement in 2013.

World champions Johnreil Casimero, Donnie Nietes, and Merlito Sabillo lead the list of major awardees together with double world champion and Southeast Asian Games medalist Rubilen Amit.  Last year's athlete of the year awardee Mikaela Calamba, who defended her crown in the World Pomsaee Championships, is also

a top awardee for taekwondo together with Glenn Lava and Rinna Babanto.

The rest of the major awardees are Andres Paul Desiderio, Arnie Christian Padilla and June Mar Fajardo for basketball,  Pearl Caneda and Wilbert Aunzo for dancesport, Don Bosco Technology Center and Paref-Springdale for football, Mary Grace de los Santos and Mary Joy Tabal for running, Arthur Craig Pantino and Jan Godfrey Seno for tennis and Joseph Miller and Justin Liam Chiongbian for triathlon.

Others who will receive major awards are Julius Nierras (athletics), Kim Lao (bowling), the Cebu Country Club men's team in the PAL Interclub (golf), Kiyomi Sarausad Watanabe (judo), Johnny Arcilla (tennis) and Rhey Jay Ortouste (sepak takraw).

The major awardees are the candidates for the Athlete of the Year and the winner will be announced on awards nights.

Aside from the major awardees, SAC-SMB will also hand out citations to standout performances of Cebuanos in the national stage last year.

Beach volley national champions Jusabelle Brillo, Apple Saraum, Jade Becaldo, Edward Ybañez and Mike Abria will receive citations along with athletics star Daniel Noval and Pearl Angeline Abellar.

In basketball, those who will be honored are Greg Slaughter, Mark Jayven tallo, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Southwestern University and the University of the Visayas, while for boxing, the awardees are Arthur Villanueva, Bruno Escalante, Genesis Servania, Jason Pagara, Jimrex Jaca, Marlon Tapales, Milan Melindo and Vergilio Silvano for the pros and Hipolito Banal and Jeffrey Estella for the amateurs.

In chess, the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association will be feted along with Diego Abraham Claro, Felix Shaun Balbona, Jerish John Velarde, Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano and Elwin Retanal.

Cebuanos who made it to the national team in football - Arantxa Trebol, Erik Ngitz Loviots, Kintaro Miyagi, Majordean Ebarle, Moiselle Alforque, Elson Dorimon, Neil Minoza, Paolo Pascual, Val Calvo– will also receive citations along with the Cebu Football Association.

Others who will receive citations are the Banilad Elementary School badminton team, Ana Patricia Maximo, John Mier, Nino Surban, Team Cebu City Dancesport, John Rey Tongco, Joseph Falcone, Club Filipino de Cebu, Ericka Lim, Gen Nagai, Junia Gabasa, Daniela dela Pisa, Kimberly Gabrielle Paler, Joaquin Nicolo Fernandez, Daniel Miranda, Jette Calderon, Cary Bullos and Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu.

BJ Pepito and Jonjon Adlawan will also receive citations along with the Cebu Lady Dragons and rugby players Eloisa Jordan, Madil Salinas and Tonette Gambito.

Also to receive citations are Anthony Lynn Navarro, Michael Ichiro Kong, Val Andre Chiu, Team Cebu City table tennis, Maegan Bugarin, Moises Bullecer, Miguel Calamba, Nichole Maurin, Veronica Garces, Jana Marie Pages, Zethley Mae Alferez, Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon, Philip Duenas, Ralph Eduard So, Neil Perino, Danika Gendrauli, Clark Cuico, Kelle Kay Rojas, Luis Ansag, Prisaa Central Visayas, Ulyross Lopez and Mark Kevin Petancio.

SAC will also hand out posthumous awards to sports patrons Alfonso Cañizares and NM Roger Abella. (Pooled report)  (FREEMAN)