PBA Legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski delivering a speech during the 2015 PSA Awards at the OneEsplanade in Pasay.
MANILA, Philippines–Take it from the greatest.
No one would know better, of course, than these past and present Philippine sports heroes who gathered in one glittering night to celebrate excellence.
“While winning is very important, the most important aspect is to bring goodwill and a good representation of what we are as Filipinos,” basketball legend Robert Jaworski said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards on Monday night at 1 Esplanade in Pasay City.
Jaworski received a Lifetime Achievement award together with the members of the celebrated Philippine team that won the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) championship.
“This group was given an opportunity to show together that we have the best athletes [in Asia],” he said.
Accepting the honor with Jaworski were teammates Bogs Adornado, Manny Paner and Yoyong Martirez. Also representing other team members were Richie Melencio, the son of the late Tembong Melencio; Leo Arnaiz, the brother of Francis Arnaiz; and John Campos, cousin of strength and conditioning coach Juan Cutillas.
Jaworski also offered a piece of advice to the country’s rising achievers: “Continue to think like neophytes, especially in your quest for excellence.”
Among those new stars was BMX cycling sensation Daniel Caluag, who bagged the Athlete of the Year honor after delivering the country’s lone gold in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.
“Being an athlete is no easy task,” said the 27-year-old Caluag, who arrived from the United States just hours earlier to personally receive the night’s highest honor.
“Play for yourself, play for your teammates, play for that little child who fell in love with the game,” Caluag, reminding his fellow athletes, said during his acceptance speech.
“Make sure that you cherish every season, every game and every practice because everything will soon be over before you realize it.”
National University, which bagged its first UAAP men’s basketball championship after 60 years, shared the spotlight by winning the President’s Award, while school owner Hans Sy also received the Executive of the Year plum.
“I had fun in turning around National University sports,” said Sy, the president of SM Prime Holdings.
“I had fun in taking on the challenge in resurrecting, or should I say, dusting off what was the doormat of the UAAP. I had fun in encouraging everyone to get into the act and transform ourselves into a team with a big heart to do our best. I guess that this proves that when you have fun, the good and the positive will follow.”
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