THREE pool players, who underscored the country’s status as a powerhouse in the sport last year, and a young taekwondo jin, who delivered a golden performance in the world stage, will be among the top awardees in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night.
World pool champions Rubilen Amit, Dennis Orcollo and Lee Van Corteza will share the stage with rising taekwondo star Mikaela Calamba as they receive the PSA President’s Award on Jan. 25 at Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City.
Amit captured her second Women’s World 10-Ball crown in November last year, while Orcollo and Corteza joined forces to rule the World Cup of Pool in the same month.
Calamba won the individual freestyle gold in the World Poomsae Championship in Bali, Indonesia, where she sparked the country’s three-gold haul.
“Their respective triumphs are proof that Filipino athletes are truly world class,” said PSA president Jun Lomibao of Business Mirror. “There were several others considered but all four are truly deserving of the (President’s) award.”
The PSA President’s Award was first given to the Ateneo Blue Eagles team in 2002.
Gilas Pilipinas will receive the Athlete of the Year honor, the highest individual award given by the country’s oldest media organization.
Other awards are: Presidential Achievement Award, Executive of the Year, Major Awards, NSA of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Milo Junior Athlete Awards, Sixth Man Award, Mr. Football, Miss Volleyball, and Tony Siddayao Award.
The Awards Night is held in partnership with Smart Sports, ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, PSC, Accel at 3XVI, Rain or Shine, Globalport, Air21, Philippine Basketball Association, Sen. Chiz Escudero, PCSO and Pagcor.