PSA annual bash to gather year’s best

Athletes, officials and friends of local sports gather on Jan. 9 for the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night, a two-hour show honoring outstanding athletes who made the year about to end a big and memorable one.

According to PSA President Roberto Cuevas of the Manila Standard, everything is in readiness for the big night which is expected to be attended by no less than the country’s No. 1 sports backers and fans, President Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike.

"We, in the association, are doing our best to make the Awards Night a very memorable one for all the awardees and guests. The association is now ready to welcome the honorees and guests. Jan. 9 will be a big day for all of them, for all of us," said PSA president Roberto Cuevas yesterday.

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and World Cup of Bowling titlist Christian Jay Suarez head the list of honorees as co-winners of the Athlete of the Year award, their rewards for authoring the biggest achievements in 2003.

Other achievers, including the gold medalists in the last 22nd Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, will also be feted in the rites sponsored by Red Bull and Agfa Colors and supported by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Basketball Association and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Also occupying a place of prominence on the honor roll is the bowling women’s trios of Liza del Rosario, Liza Clutario and Cecilia Yap, who won the gold medal in the prestigious World FIQ in Kuala Lumpur.

Del Rosario and Company will receive the PSA President’s Award, the same honor given by the association last year on the Ateneo Blue Eagles for ending a long title-drought in the UAAP League.

On the other hand, the Antonio M. Siddayao award named after the man regarded as the dean of local sportswriters will be accorded to the Paglaum girls softball team which won the Junior Little League World Series in Washington.

The complete and final list of awardees:
Athletes of the Year–Manny Pacquiao and CJ Suarez
PSA President’s Award–Liza del Rosario, Liza Clutario and Cecilia Yap
Antonio M. Siddayao Award–Bacolod girls softball team
Hall of Fame–Ben Arda and Celestino Tugot
Major awardees–James Yap, amateur basketball, Asi Taulava, pro basketball, Dorothy Delasin, women’s golf; Wind Blown, horse of the year; Mark Paragua, chess; Arnel Quirimit, pro cycling; Patty Dilema, horse racing; Harry Tanamor, amateur boxing;

Citations–Steve Hontiveros, FedEx-Air 21, First Gentleman Foundation, Jojo Canare, Ronald Dableo, Philippine Track and Field Association, Philippine Bowling Congress, Jayvee Agojo, Philippine Racing Commission, Samsung, Glenn Aguilar, Far Eastern U men’s basketball team, Kenneth San Andres, Dottie Ardina, Allenby Jiro Ramos, Miguel Tabuena, Ali Atienza, Lhuillier and Rene Catalan

Special citations (SEA Games gold medalists)–Eduardo Buenavista, Ernie Candelario, John Lozada, Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito, Rene Herrera, Arnel Ferrera, Allan Ballester, Danilo Fresnido, Arvin Ting, Willy Wang, Eduard Folayang, Dolly Andres, Donald David Geisler III, Veronica Domingo, Dax Morpe, Mary Antoinette Rivero, Margarita Bonifacio, Walbert Mendoza, Lenita Reyes, Epee team (Richard Gomez, Avelino Victorino, Jr., Wilfredo Vizcayno and Almario Vizcayno), fencing foil team (Rolando Canlas, Jr., Ruperto Endriano, Jr., Ramil Endriano and Emerson Segui), Marcus Valda, Cris Villanueva, Melchor Tumasis, John Baylon, Gilbert Ramirez, Helen Dawa, Rapid chess team (Mark Paragua, Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio and Bong Villamayor), Standard chess team (Mark Paragua, Eugene Torre, Bong Villamayor, Roger Antonio, Ronald Dableo), Miguel Molina, Miguel Mendoza, Lee Van Corteza, 9-ball doubles team (Lee Van Corteza and Warren Kiamco), Neil Faustino, Roel Ramirez, Ryan Rexel Fabriga, Jaime Asok, Gretchen Malalad, women’s archery team (Jasmin Figueroa, Jennifer Chan, Rachel Cabral, Joann Tabañag), Men’s trap team (Eric Ang, Jaime Recio, Jethro Dionisio), Eusebio Quinones and men’s 500-m team in traditional boat race.

Posthumous awards–Peter Alegre, Percela Molina, Robert Cheng, Rene Fortaleza, Manolet Araneta, Edilberto Gamilla, Pedro Adique, and Ramon Lim.