PSA Awards: Diaz leads top achievers

MANILA, Philippines - Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz headlines a crack roster of athletes who shone in their respective fields in the year just passed as the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) holds the annual Awards Night presented by Milo and San Miguel on Feb. 13 at the Le Pavilion in Pasay.

Diaz, who ended the country’s 20-year medal drought in the Rio Games with a silver medal feat in weightlifting, looms as the leading choice for the coveted Athlete of the Year award during the formal affair co-presented by Cignal/Hyper TV.

Last year pro boxers Nonito Donaire Jr., and Donnie Nietes along with golfer Miguel Tabuena were the joint recipients of the highest honor bestowed by the Philippines’ oldest media organization composed of editors and sportswriters from both the print and online portals.

President Duterte has been invited to be the guest speaker.

President’s Award, Lifetime Achievement honor, Executive of the Year, National Sports Association of the Year, Mr. Basketball, Mr. Golf, Mr. Football, and Ms. Volleyball will also be handed out as part of the two-hour program backed by Smart, Foton, Mighty Sports, Philippine Basketball Association, Accel, Gold Toe, SM Prime Holdings Inc., GlobalPort, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, and MVPSF.

Athletes who earned Olympic berths through qualifying tournaments are likewise to be cited, among them tracksters Eric Cray, Marestella Torres, and Mary Joy Tabal, weightlifter Nestor Colonia, Ian Lariba, boxers Roger Ladon and Charly Suarez, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora and Tabuena.

The PSA will also recognized major awardees in different sports and citations to various personalities and entities in the annual rite backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Federal Land.

Not to be missed out are the organizations recognition to young promising achievers such as the Tony Siddayao Awards and the Milo Male and Female Junior Athletes of the Year, as well as posthumous awards to those dearly departed friends of the local sportswriting community.