Nietes, Mixers share PSA limelight

MANILA, Philippines—The longest reigning world Filipino boxing champion and the first Grand Slam achieving team in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the last 18 years lead the list of major awardees to be recognized during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night presented by Milo and San Miguel Corporation.

WBO light flyweight title holder Donnie Nietes and the entire San Mig Coffee team that completed a three-conference sweep of the PBA last season will be honored on Feb. 16 at 1Esplanade Mall of Asia Complex by the country’s oldest media organization.

Nietes recently surpassed the seven-year reign of the great late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world champion after successfully retaining his title against Carlos Velarde last November.

Coached by Tim Cone, the Mixers became the first PBA team after Alaska in 1996 to achieve a rare Grand Slam.

Other major awardees during the gala night which has the MVP Sports Foundation, Meralco and Smart as principal sponsors and the PSC as major sponsor are Youth Olympic Games gold medalist Gabriel Luis Moreno, Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez, five-time NCAA men’s champion San Beda Red Lions, PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, and UAAP counterpart Kiefer Ravena.

Other major awardees in the yearly affair also backed by the PBA, ICTSI, PCSO, Pagcor, Rain or Shine, Globalport, Air21, Maynilad, Accel and National U are rider Mark Galedo, golfer Daniella Uy, chess player Mikee Charlene Suede, wushu bets Jessie Aligaga and Jean Claude Saclag, the Philippine dragon boat team, Philippine poomsae team (male under 30), Philippine poomsae team (freestyle), champion horse Kid Molave and jockey Jonathan Hernandez.