PSA Siddayao awards to five young sports achievers

MANILA, Philippines—Flashing their immense potential, two karters who made their mark on the international racing scene last year will headline the latest batch of young athletes who will be honored during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night co-presented by Milo and San Miguel Corp. on Monday at 1Esplanade in Pasay City.

Young karters Zachary David and Gabriel Tayao Cabrera will be honored by the county’s oldest media group along with golfer Mikhaela Fortuna, chess player Paulo Bersamina and swimmer Kyla Soguilon with the Tony Siddayao Awards

Named after the late sports editor Tony Siddayao, considered as the dean of Philippine sportswriting, the award is given to athletes 17 years old and younger.

David and Cabrera ruled their respective divisions in the Asian Karting Open Series in Macau while Bersamina won the U-20 event of the 15th Asean Age Group Chess Championships, obtaining an International Master title in the process.

Fortuna bagged the US Kids-Teen World Golf Championship 13-U division in North Carolina. Soguilon made her mark in two international tournaments including the 16th Royal Bangkok swimfest, where she bagged six gold medals.

Leading the honor roll in the gala event is PSA Athlete of the Year Daniel Caluag whose golden performance in the Asian Games averted a shutout for the country.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia will keynote the ceremony which has Meralco, Smart, and the MVP Sports Foundation as principal sponsors.

Adding glamour to the event is a performance by UAAP cheerdance competition champion National University.

The other awardees include NU Bulldogs (President’s Award), Hans Sy (Executive of the Year), MVP Sports Foundation Inc. (Sports Patron of Year), the 1973 national basketball team (Lifetime Achievement), Tim Cone (Excellence in Basketball), Mitsubishi (Hall of Fame), Alyssa Valdez (Ms Volleyball), Jean Pierre Sabido (Mr. Taekwondo), and Princess Superal and Tony Lascuña (Golfers of the Year).

Also backing the awards night are, Globalport, El Jose Catering, PCSO, Rain or Shine, PBA, Maynilad, Accel, ICTSI, Pagcor, National University and Air21.

Major awardees: boxing champion Donnie Nietes, San Mig Coffee team, archer Gabriel Luis Moreno, ice skater Michael Christian Martinez, San Beda Red Lions, cagers June Mar Fajardo and Kiefer Ravena, amateur boxer Mark Galedo, golfer Daniella Uy, chesser Mikee Charlene Suede, wushu’s Jessie Aligaga and Jean Claude Saclag, PH dragon boat team, PH poomsae team (male over 30), PH poomsae team (freestyle), the owner of champion horse Kid Molave and jockey Jonathan Hernandez.