SEAG gold medalists to be cited in PSA rites

Gold medalists in the recent 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand will lead the sports personalities to be cited in the coming San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Rites at the SM Mall of Asia in the second week of February.

The Philippines had its worst showing in the biennial meet with a paltry haul of 41 golds, 91 silvers and 96 bronze medals but it failed to take the luster off the SEA games medalists.

“We should honor them more because they delivered during the worst of times,” said PSA president Aldrin Cardona of the Daily Tribune. “It takes superhuman effort to excel in those (SEAG) conditions.”

Stricken off the list from those to be cited was swimming sensation Miguel Molina, whose four-gold medal showing earned for him a higher accolade – a nomination for 2007’s Athlete of the Year.  Nominees to the highest individual plum of the PSA are automatically the major awardees of their respective sports.

Aside from Molina, also nominated for Athlete of the Year in the awards rites also backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Shakey’s and Accel, are boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, reigning International Boxing Federation/International Boxing Organization flyweight champ Nonito Donaire, world 8-ball king Ronnie Alcano, golfer Frankie Miñoza and young chess Grandmaster Wesley So.

Swimming turned out to be the most outstanding national sports association in the Thailand Games with eight gold medals. Aside from Molina, whose four gold medals also earned for him the biennial meet’s Best Male Athlete, also swimming their way to the gold were Ryan Arabejo, JB Walsh and Daniel Coakley, who will all be bringing their show to the Beijing Olympics.

Cycling was next with four gilts, namely Victory Espiritu in the track points race, Baby Marites Bitbit in the women’s massed-start road race, Alfie Catalan in the men’s track individual pursuit and Joey Barba in mountain bike’s men’s downhill event.   

Also to be cited are Shakey’s for fueling the renaissance of volleyball, Nic Jorge’s BEST Center, which will be celebrating its 30th year in March, and boxing impresario Tony Aldeguer, owner of the famed ALA Gym in Cebu.

The PSA Board is in the final stage of completing its honorees for major awardees in pro and amateur basketball, Horse of the Year, Jockey of the Year, the President’s Award, the Tony Siddayao Award, the Most Outstanding NSA and other citations.