Vargas exhorts PSA awardees; Orcollo, Donaire share Athlete of the Year honors
MANILA, Philippines—On a night when the country’s finest athletes basked in the familiar spotlight, some of the leaders behind their success also shared their glory.
Boxing and billiards claimed the lion’s share of honors in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards on Saturday night, proving once again that they produced the most number of success stories in 2011.
As a parade of boxers took the stage, the chief of Philippine boxing also found time to share his insights on what makes the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) click.
“They say politics is unavoidable and inevitable even in sports, I beg to disagree,” said Abap president Ricky Vargas, who was honored as Executive of the Year.
“We can unite if we were to act as real sportsmen. We should abhor politics and just work together for the betterment and upliftment of the Filipino athlete. The first thing we can do is stop finger-pointing and start thinking less of ourselves but how we can better our performance moving forward.”
Vice President Jejomar Binay, the night’s guest of honor, also took the same tone in his message to the athletes.
“Huwag po kayong mawalan ng lakas ng loob o sigla ng katawan (Don’t lose hope or enthusiasm),” said Binay. “Slowly, we’ll try to find solutions to your long-time concerns. It won’t take long before you feel the winds of change in your journey.”
The Abap, along with the Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP), shared the National Sports Association of the Year recognition.
Both sports also produced the Athletes of the Year in world No. 1 billiards player Dennis Orcollo and three-time world boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr.
“As you can see, I have brought my family with me to witness this event. I also wanted them to see what kind of company I keep in the sporting world,” Vargas said. “ I hope they’re impressed.”
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao also made a surprise visit, virtually lending his approval and support to fellow boxers like Donnie Nietes (pros-major award), Mark Anthony Barriga (amateur-major award), Eumir Marcial (Tony Siddayao award) and Josie Gabuco, Alice Aparri, Charly Suarez and Dennis Galvan (special citations).
