Former national basketball coach Ron Jacobs, who passed away Dec. 24 last year, will be honored with a Posthumous Award as the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) pays tribute to departed friends of local sports in its Annual Awards Night this Saturday at One Esplanade in Pasay City.
Jacobs, one of the brightest basketball minds in the country before suffering a stroke in 2001, heads the list of late personalities who will be recognized for their contributions to Philippine sports in the program presented by San Miguel and Milo.
Ginebra executive and Tarlac Rep. Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco Sr., Olympian and former national shooting association president Arturo “Art” Macapagal, basketball great and Hall of Famer Lim Eng Beng, and ex-softball national team player Ireneo “Nayong” Federigan will also be remembered in the program that starts at 7 p.m.
Considered the father of sepak takraw in the country, Servillano Aquino Padiz Jr. will likewise be honored posthumously, along with PBA technical director Ramil Cruz and one-time Philippine Sports Commissioner and running enthusiast Jose “Jun” Castro Jr.
A trophy and a minute of silence will be offered to the eight during the two-hour affair.
Heading the honor roll are Athlete of the Year awardees Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire Jr. and Miguel Tabuena. Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. is the recipient of Executive of the Year while Gilas Pilipinas will be given the President’s Award.
The PSA will also recognize Wushu Federation of the Philippines (NSA of the Year), Alyssa Valdez (Ms. Volleyball), Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo (Mr. Basketball), sports great Filomeno ‘Boy’ Codinera (Lifetime Achievement Award) and the 14 recipients of major awards led by San Miguel Beer cager June Mar Fajardo.
Southeast Asian Games and the Para Games medalists will also receive citations in the program, while Palarong Pambansa standouts Maurice Sacho Ilustre and Nicole Pamintuan banner the recipients of the Tony Siddayao awards.
Kyla Soguilon and Justine Kobe Macario will be handed the annual Milo Outstanding Athletes awards.
EVENT BACKERS: Philippine Sports Commission, Smart, MVP Foundation, Maynilad, SM Prime Holdings, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Basketball Association, Globalport, Rain or Shine, One Esplanade, National University