PSA fetes sports heroes in rites today

MANILA, Philippines - The top achievers of 2014 take center stage tonight as the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) holds its Annual Awards Night co-presented by Milo and San Miguel Corp. in formal rites at the 1Esplanade in Pasay City.

Headlining the star-studded affair is BMX champion rider Daniel Caluag, who was named the Athlete of the Year for delivering the lone gold medal for Team Philippines in last year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The 27-year-old Caluag arrived at 1 a.m. Monday from Kentucky where he works as a registered nurse to personally received the coveted award.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, and PSA president Jun Lomibao of the Business Mirror will lead officials, athletes, sportswriters, and guests in feting Caluag and the rest of this year’s honorees numbering to 79 in all during the two-hour program to be hosted by veteran sportscasters Quinito Henson and Patricia Bermudez Hizon.

Garcia, who was the country’s chef de mission in the Incheon Asiad last year,  also serves as the gala night’s keynote speaker.

Sharing the limelight with Caluag in the event which has Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, and Meralco as principal sponsors and the PSC as major sponsors, are nine recipients of Special Awards from the country’s oldest media organization celebrating its 66 years.

Reigning UAAP men’s basketball champion National University Bulldogs lead the distinguished list of honor as recipient of the President’s Award while the 1973 Philippine men’s basketball team that won the Fiba-Asia Men’s Championship in Manila will be bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Others to be cited with Special Awards during the affair also backed by the PBA, Maynilad, Accel, Rain or Shine, PCSO, Pagcor, El Jose Catering, National University, Globalport, Air21, 1Esplanade include Hans Sy (Executive of the Year), champion coach Tim Cone (Excellence In Basketball), Alyssa Valdez (Ms. Volleyball), Jean Pierre Sabido (Mr. Taekwondo), Tony Lascuña and Princess Superal (Golfers of the Year), Mitsubishi (Hall of Fame), and the MVP Sports Foundation (Sports Patron of the Year).

There will also be major awards to be handed out to Donnie Nietes, San Mig Coffee team, Gabriel Luis Moreno, Michael Christian Martinez, San Beda Red Lions, June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, Mark Galedo, Daniella Uy, Mikee Charlene Suede, Jessie Aligaga, Jean Claude Saclag, Philippine dragon boat team, Philippine poomsae team (male over 30), Philippine poomsae team (freestyle), Triple Crown champion horse Kid Molave and jockey Jonathan Hernandez.

Providing the entertainment part is two-time UAAP cheerdance competition champion National University.

Invitations for the awards night had already been sent out, but those who failed to personally receive it, can get theirs at the lobby entrance of 1Esplanade.

Complete 2014 PSA Honor roll

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Daniel Caluag

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

National University Bulldogs

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Hans Sy

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

1973 Philippine Men’s Basketball Team

EXCELLENCE IN BASKETBALL

Earl Timothy “Tim” Cone

GOLFERS OF THE YEAR

Tony Lascuña, Princess Superal

MR TAEKWONDO

Jean Pierre Sabido

MS VOLLEYBALL

Alyssa Valdez

HALL OF FAME

Mitsubishi

SPORTS PATRON OF THE YEAR

MVP Sports Foundation

MAJOR AWARDS

Donnie Nietes, San Mig Coffee, San Beda Red Lions, June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, Michael Christian Martinez, Mark Galedo, Daniella Uy, Gabriel Luis Moreno, Mikee Charlene Suede, Jessie Aligaga, Jean Claude Saclag, Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Philippine Poomsae Team-Male Over 30, Philippine Poomsae Team-Freestyle, Kid Molave, Jonathan Hernandez.

CITATIONS

Manila West, NU Lady Bulldogs, San Beda Red Cubs, Anita Koykka, Maybelline Masuda, Annie Ramirez, Geylord Coveta, Philippine Taekwondo Team-Male Under 30, Francis Aaron Agojo, Philippine Taekwondo Team, Kenneth San Andres, Peter Gabriel Magnaye, Paul Vivas, August Benedicto, Claire Adorna, Bong Lopez, Philippine Basketball Marathon, UE juniors volleyball team, Adamson women’s softball team, Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors, Pagpupugay, Philippine Collegiate Champions League, Accel, Unilab Active Health, The Junior Golfers League.

MILO JUNIOR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Paulo Bersamina, Kyla Soguilon.

TONY SIDDAYAO AWARD

Zachary David, Gabriel Tayao Cabrera, Mikhaela Fortuna, Paulo Bersamina, Kyla Soguilon.

POSTHUMOUS:

Anthony Villanueva,  Leonardo “Dodong” Andam,  Bryan Gahol, Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor,  Ceferino “Howie” Basilio Jr.,  Elizier “Ely” Capacio, Rodolfo Lordan Jr., Kurt Bachmann Jr., Isabelo “Bong” Hilario, Jesus Tanchanco Sr., Florentino Bautista Jr., Vicmar Vicente, Manny Ibay, Elpideo Dorotheo, Pete Mendoza, Pacifico Tolentino Jr., Nicolette Tabafunda, Danny Romero.