World-class pugs PSA major awardees

MANILA, Philippines — Six world-class boxers, including the three who won medals in the Tokyo Olympics, will be feted during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night on March 14 at the Diamond Hotel.

Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial and the revitalized Nonito Donaire Jr. lead the compact nine-man list to be presented Major Awards by the country’s sportswriting fraternity during the special event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Cignal TV.

The quartet will be joined by other Filipinos who are champions in their respective fields, including pole vaulter EJ Obiena, netter Alex Eala and pro boxers John Riel Casimero and Jerwin Ancajas.

Paalam and Petecio bagged a silver each while Marcial claimed a bronze during the Tokyo Games last year in the most successful campaign ever by the Philippine boxing team in the quadrennial showpiece.

Donaire meanwhile, showed he’s not yet done on top of the ring at age 40 after seizing the WBC bantamweight title belt by dethroning Nordine Oubaali in a fourth-round stoppage in Carson, California in May of 2021. Later in the year, he retained his crown behind a similar fourth-round KO of compatriot Reymart Gaballo.

Filipino golden girl Hidilyn Diaz banners the 2021 honorees as recipient of the prestigious Athlete of the Year award to be handed out by the oldest media organization in the country during the gala night also backed by Milo, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), 1Pacman, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, Chooks To Go, Smart, Philracom and the MVP Sports Foundation.

After two years, the Awards Night will finally be held face-to-face although attendance is still going to be on a limited 50 percent capacity in compliance with the government’s safe and healthy protocols, according to PSA president Rey C. Lachica, sports editor of Tempo.

Other awardees named earlier include champion golfer Yuka Saso and world titlist Carlos Yulo of gymnastics (President’s Award), POC president Abraham Tolentino (Executive of the Year) and basketball legends Robert Jaworski Sr. and Ramon Fernandez (Lifetime Achievement Award).

Still to be announced are the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year, Manok Ng Bayan award, citations and a special Excellence in Leadership Award.