PSA fetes softball great

MANILA, Philippines – Filomeno “Boy” Codinera, a legendary figure in both the field of softball and baseball, will be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association during the PSA Annual Awards Night presented by Milo and San Miguel Corp. on Feb. 13 at the One Esplanade in Pasay City.

Codinera was a long-time member of the fabled Blu Boys. His exploits of hitting seven consecutive doubles in the 1968 World Championships in Oklahoma, USA landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records.

“It’s about time the great Boy Codinera be accorded with an award that speaks volumes of his stature as a distinguished softball and baseball player who did us proud not only in Asia but around the world. The man truly deserves it,” said PSA president Riera Mallari of the Manila Standard.

Past recipients of the award bestowed by the country’s oldest media organization, which turns 67 this year, were icons such as champion coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, boxing referee Carlos Padilla, former International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the country Frank Elizalde, one-time FIBA-Asia secretary-general Mauricio “Moying” Martelino, and the late basketball great Carlos Loyzaga.

Codinera, who will turn 77 next month, is among those to be honored in the blue-ribbon event where world boxing champions Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire Jr., and rising golf star Miguel Tabuena will be presented with the Athletes of the Year trophy.

The gala night, also presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, Maynilad, Accel, Globalport, Rain or Shine, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Sen. Chiz Escudero, and SM Holdings, will be hosted by Quinito Henson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.

Codinera was also a member of the Philippine team that won a bronze medal in the 1966 World Amateur Baseball Championship held in Hawaii.

The father of basketball star Jerry, and ex-PBA players Harmon and Pat, Codinera also played for the Blu Boys that won the Asian Men’s Softball Championship in 1967, 1973, and 1977.

He also steered University of Santo Tomas to four baseball championships and six softball titles in the UAAP.

A retired member of the so-called “Manila’s Finest,” Codinera was also a member of the celebrated Canlubang Sugar Barons who dominated the Manila Bay Baseball League and the local softball tournaments in the 1950’s all the way to the 70s.

Other than the Athlete of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award, also to be handed out by the PSA are the President’s Award (Gilas Pilipinas), Ms. Volleyball (Alyssa Valdez), and Mr. Basketball (Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo).

There will also be an award for Executive of the Year, major awards in other sports, posthumous, and citations, which include all gold medalists in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Not to be missed out are the Tony Siddayao Awards for outstanding athletes aged 17 and below, and the annual Milo Outstanding Athletes for boys and girls.