PSA recognition for Schrock, lady spikers

MANILA, Philippines – Football’s finest and volleyball’s two popular collegiate stars join the illustrious list of local athletes who will be honored in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night this Saturday at Centennial Hall in Manila Hotel.

Stephan Schrock, the Filipino-German who helped boost the stock of Philippine football this year, has been chosen Mr. Football, while De La Salle’s Abigail Maraño and Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez have been picked as the first recipients of the Ms. Volleyball award.

Schrock, a fleet-footed midfielder, was a key cog when the Azkals retained the the Philippine Peace Cup title. By the middle of 2013, he also signed with Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 27-year-old Schrock joins an elite circle of Mr. Football winners that include Chieffy Caligdong, Phil Younghusband and Ed Sacapaño.

Maraño and Valdez, meanwhile, emerged at the forefront during the rise of women’s volleyball in the country.

As team captain of the Lady Archers, Maraño consistently showcased her brilliance and leadership to power La Salle to its third straight UAAP women’s volleyball crown while copping her second straight Most Valuable Player plum.

Although Valdez and her Lady Eagles bowed to the Lady Archers in last year’s UAAP finals, the popular spiker made the Shakey’s V-League her playground where she towed her squad to two championships.

Leading the top sports personalities who will be honored by the country’s oldest media organization is Gilas Pilipinas, which will receive the Athletes of the Year award for its runner-up finish in the Fiba Asia, thus securing a slot in the World Cup for the first time in 35 years.

World champions Rubilen Amit, Dennis Orcollo and Lee Vann Corteza of billiards and Mikaela Calamba of taekwondo will also receive the President’s Award in the gala night presented by Milo with major sponsor Air21 and partners Smart Sports, Philippine Sports Commission, SM Prime Holdings, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, Philippine Basketball Association, Globalport, Rain or Shine, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Accel at 3XVI and Sen. Chiz Escudero.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manuel V. Pangilinan will receive the Executive of the Year award.