Two Palaro standouts among PSA Siddayao awardees

TWO STANDOUTS from last year’s Palarong Pambansa in Tagum, Davao del Norte headline the latest batch of Tony Siddayao awardees who will be feted in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night presented by Milo and San Miguel Corp. this Saturday at One Esplanade in Pasay City.

Maurice Sacho Illustre and Nicole Pamintuan, who collected seven gold medals each in the grassroots-based meet’s swimming meet, will be honored with the award given to exceptional athletes aged 17 and below.
The award is named after the late Manila Standard sports editor Tony Siddayao, considered the dean of Philippine sportswriters.

Fellow swimmers Miguel Barreto, Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh and Sean Terrence Zamora and golfers Abby Arevalo and Pauline del Rosario will also receive the Siddayao award, along with Jacob Ang of karting and Nicole Eijansantos of triathlon.

Among the previous winners of the award are Kiefer Ravena, Wesley So, Dottie Ardina, Norbert Torres and Malvinne Ann Alcala.

The gala starts at 7 p.m. with world boxing champions Donnie Nietes and Nonito Donaire Jr., and golf star Miguel Tabuena receiving the most prestigious honor as Athletes of the Year.

Also part of the honor roll  are Alaska team owner Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. (Executive of the Year), Gilas Pilipinas (President’s Award), Filomeno “Boy” Codinera (Lifetime Achievement Award, Wushu Federation of the Philippines (National Sports Association of the Year), Alyssa Valdez (Ms. Volleyball), and Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo (Mr. Basketball).

San Miguel Beer cager June Mar Fajardo is one of 14 recipients of major awards, while citations will be given to the gold medalists of the 28th Southeast Asian Games and the Asean Para Games.