World boxing champions Nonito Donaire Jr. and Donnie Nietes accept their Athlete of the Year award. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Golfer Miguel Tabuena and boxers Donnie Nietes and Nonito Donaire Jr. shared the spotlight Saturday night as the three were named as Athletes of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association
“To share the stage with two boxing icons is an amazing feeling. I’d like to thank PSA for recognizing athletes like me. I hope to not let you down,” said Tabuena during the Annual PSA Awards night at at One Esplanade in Pasay City.
“Salamat sa pagbigay sa akin ng Athlete of the Year. Sana marami pang athlete ang mapagpilian next year,” said the WBO light flyweight champion Nietes, who is also currently longest reigning boxing world champion.
For his part, Donaire thanked the group for the supporting him throughout his boxing career.
“Throughout my career, PSA has always given me the inspiration and the spirit that I need to take home the prize,” Donaire said in a speech.
Donaire gives his acceptances speech. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
“To all the athletes, let’s all be great. Let’s all be an inspiration to one another.”
Alaska’s Wilfred Steven Uytengsu was also honored as the Executive of the Year for his invaluable contributions to the sporting world, not just in basketball, but in swimming, football, and marathon through the company’s grassroots program.
The PSA also gave citations to outstanding athletes and organizations which helped Philippine sports in the past year, and honored former greats with Posthumous Awards.
Alaska executive Wilfred Uytengsu. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Among the awardees were Gilas Pilipinas (President’s Award), Filomeno “Boy’ Codiñera (Lifetime Achievement Award), the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (NSA of the Year), Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva (Mr. Basketball), and Alyssa Valdez (Ms. Volleyball).
Major awardees include June Mar Fajardo (pro basketball), Mac Belo and Mark Cruz (amateur basketball), Eric Cray (athletics), Amaya Paz-Cojuangco (archery), Chezka Centeno (billiards), Santy Barnachea (cycling), Cyna Rodriguez (pro golf), Princess Mary Superal (amateur golf), Raniel Resuello (motorsports), Jonathan Hernandez (horseracing), Katharina Lehnert and AJ Lim (tennis), ans Divine Wally and Arnel Mandal (wushu).
Alyssa Valdez receives award from PDI sports editor Teddyvic Melendres. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
PSA also feted gold medalists from the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and the ASEAN Para Games, as well as recognized the budding young athletes with the Tony Siddayao Award.
Taekwondo jin Justine Kobe Macario and swimmer Kyla Soguilon were also named as Milo Junior Athletes of the Year.
RELATED VIDEOS
