2017’s best: World champs Ancajas, Tabora, Biado

A boxer tagged as the “next Pacquiao,” a bowler on the rise and a billiards player riding a banner year made Philippine sports flourish in 2017.

So it’s only fitting that the country’s three world champions—new ring star Jerwin Ancajas, bowling standout Krizziah Lyn Tabora and cue master Carlo Biado—will be feted as Athletes of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) and San Miguel Corp. during its annual awards night on Feb. 27 at the Maynila Hall of Manila Hotel.

“They are truly deserving of the award for the great honor they brought to the country with their respective victories in the world stage,” said PSA president and Spin.ph editor Dodo Catacutan.

Ancajas, whose explosive form earned him comparisons to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, defended his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight title thrice last year.

The 25-year-old native of Panabo, Davao del Norte, last won in November when he stopped previously unbeaten Irishman Jamie Conlan in Belfast in the sixth round.

That same month, Tabora pulled off a surprise in winning the 53rd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, that snapped the country’s 14-year title drought in the sport’s biggest stage.

By December, the country’s success continued as Biado took the World 9-ball title after downing Ronald Garcia, 13-5, in an all-Filipino final in Doha.