Donaire honored, inspired by PSA award

MANILA, Philippines - WBO superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. said the other day he was honored and inspired by his PSA Athlete of the Year award, at the same time promising an exciting performance against Hungarian challenger Zsolt Bedak before the homecrowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 23.

Donaire flew from Manila to Las Vegas via Los Angeles last Monday night to start training for Bedak. He would’ve left a week earlier but stayed for the PSA Awards Night at One Esplanade in the SM Central Business Park, Pasay City last Saturday. Donaire, his wife Rachel, their children Jarel and Logan and mother-in-law Becky Marcial attended the annual PSA event. The family spent the Christmas and New Year holidays in town.

“It’s amazing to be fighting in the Philippines again,” said Donaire. “I feed off the energy that the people give out. It’s a big advantage. It’s like sleeping in your own bed. You’re more comfortable, more confident when you hear everybody cheering for you. I respect Bedak as a fighter but I’m showing up to win.”

Donaire attended his third PSA Awards Night. His first appearance was when he shared the Athlete of the Year honors with swimmer Miguel Molina in 2007. He was also Co-Athlete of the Year with cue artist Dennis Orcullo in 2011 and received the award with the Manila women’s softball team, boxer Josie Gabuco and the Ateneo senior men’s basketball team in 2012.

“The Awards Night keeps getting better than ever,” he said. “I’m very honored and happy by what the PSA has done. I was very inspired being with the other athletes who were awarded and recognized. I hope that I can also be an inspiration to others. It was a wonderful opportunity to be with the country’s sportswriters, sports officials and outstanding athletes.”

Donaire, WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes and golfer Miguel Tabuena were named Athletes of the Year by the PSA. Nietes flew in from Cebu while Tabuena motored from Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan, with his father Luigi to attend the affair. Tabuena came from winning the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational tournament.

Donaire said the Araneta card is being assembled by co-promoters Top Rank and ABS-CBN. “I’m looking forward to an action-packed card,” he said. “Donnie told me Mark Magsayo will be in the undercard. Bedak signed the fight contract last week. My opponents usually sign the contract ahead. I’m guaranteed a minimum purse by Top Rank but I’ll try to negotiate upwards.” Magsayo, 20, is a rising Filipino featherweight prospect with a 12-0 card, including 10 KOs.

PSA Executive of the Year Fred Uytengsu of Alaska Milk Corp. admitted the Aces’ loss to San Miguel Beer in the recent PBA Philippine Cup Finals after opening a 3-0 series lead was “a bitter pill to swallow” in his remarks at the Awards Night.

“Many people have wondered and a few have dared to ask me what happened,” he said. “Coach (Alex) Compton has offered his anecdotes and from my perspective, I don’t think anybody expected us to even be in the Finals much less be up in that series, 3-0, against a talented team like San Miguel Beer, even without JuneMar Fajardo. The truth is, that team is 10 deep and very experienced. We had our chances in Games 4 and 5 and we didn’t get it done. In Game 6, I felt we didn’t give the best account of ourselves and in the final game, we appeared overwhelmed. I said at the press conference, when we qualified for our 29th Finals appearance that to be the best, you have to beat the best. We didn’t beat the best and San Miguel deserves the credit.”

While he was disappointed with the setback, Uytengsu said he’s not deterred. “I still believe our franchise is very capable due to our work ethic and our desire,” he said. “They say you are measured by what you accomplish but you are defined by what you attempt. I am proud of how the Alaska Aces are defined. And we will be back.”

With Uytengsu at the Awards Night were Compton, Alaska players Sonny Thoss, Dondon Hontiveros and Tony de la Cruz, Alaska sports manager C. K. Kanapi-Daniolco, Makati Football School founder and Alaska Cup organizer Tomas Lozano and Sunrise Events general manager Princess Galura.

Thoss, Hontiveros and De la Cruz went up the stage to accept the Co-Mr. Basketball award for teammate Calvin Abueva. The other Mr. Basketball was Terrence Romeo. Thoss and Hontiveros were also honored as members of the Gilas team that was cited for finishing second at the FIBA Asia Championships in Changsha last year. SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, deputy executive director Butch Antonio and Gilas assistant coaches Compton and Jong Uichico also represented the squad. Abueva received another award as member of the Manila North 3x3 team that qualified for the World Tour Finals in Abu Dhabi last year.

Troy Rosario was cited twice for playing on the Manila North 3x3 team and on the Cadets squad that won the Southeast Asian Games gold medal. Mac Belo was honored for playing on the Cadets team and the FEU squad that won the UAAP title. Mark Cruz, represented by player agent Danny Espiritu, was awarded for leading Letran to the NCAA crown.