THE Philippine Sportswriters Association
has linked up with a new broadcast partner in ABC-5 which will
air the coming SMC-PSA Annual Awards Night at the SM Mall of
Asia.
The Feb. 16 event honoring the top athletes
and entities that did the country proud in the field of sports
last year will be aired in between games of the Philippine
Basketball Association Finals. ABC-5 also airs Asia’s first
ever play-for-pay league.
Reigning International Boxing Federation
flyweight champion Nonito Donaire and 24th Southeast Asian
Games Best Male Athlete awardee Miguel Molina have been
bestowed the Athlete of the Year honor by the country’s oldest
media organization.
"It is with pride and honor to be chosen as
the official television partner of this year’s SMC-PSA Annual
Awards Night," said Sienna Olaso, sports production head of
ABC-5.
PSA president Aldrin Cardona of the Tribune
said awardees who don’t receive their respective invitations
on time can get them at the reception area of the SM Mall of
Asia before the rites.
Senate President Manny Villar is the guest
speaker during the two-hour long ceremonies backed by Shakey’s,
the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusements and
Gaming Corporation, Accel, Toby’s, Raymundo’s Trophies and
Sculptures (www.raymundosawards.com), Tagaytay City mayor
Bambol Tolentino and Air21.
Top sports officials led by Philippine
Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco Jr. and
PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez are also expected to
attend the event to be broadcast live over DZSR Sports Radio
918.
Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao, a
four-time recipient of the PSA Athlete of the Year Award, is
the 2007 PSA President’s Awards honoree while major awards
will be given to golfer Frankie Minoza, world 8-ball champion
Ronnie Alcano (billiards), chess grandmaster Wesley So
(chess), Mark Caguioa (pro basketball), Jason Castro (amateur
basketball), Patti Dilema (horseracing) and Es Twenty Six
(horseracing).
To be feted with the Toby’s-Tony Siddayao Youth Excellence
Awards are jungolfers Mia Legaspi and Marcel Puyat and the RP
Junior Wushu Team bannered by Mary Stepanie Agbay and Henson
John See.
