A night of sports heroes

Under a glow of inspiration, the country’s top athletes were feted Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association-San Miguel Corporation Awards Night.

And for a trio of first-time winners of the top award handed out by the country’s oldest media organization, the honor was something worth cherishing for the rest of their lives.

“This is a very special honor,” boxing sensation Jerwin Ancajas told Sports IQ, the Inquirer’s multiplatform live sports talk show at Manila Hotel’s Maynila Hall. “Not everyone gets to receive this trophy.”

Speaking in Filipino, Ancajas added: “I will carry this honor for the rest of my life.”

It was a sentiment echoed by bowler Krizziah Lyn Tabora and pool ace Carlo Biado. The two ruled the world championships of their respective sports to join Ancajas at the summit of the PSA Awards: The three were named Athletes of the Year by the group of sports journalists who tirelessly chronicled their exploits.

And for these athletes, the honor bestowed on them will be more than just a shiny testament to their success.

“This will be an inspiration not just for me but for other bowlers as well,” said Tabora, who joined the likes of legendary bowlers Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo as bowling World Cup winners.

Ancajas thrice defended his International Boxing Federation super flyweight title last year while Biado ruled World 9-Ball.

Jerwin Ancajas, Krizziah Tabora and Carlo Biado. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SMC’s Ramon S. Ang and Standard Insurance’s Jude Echauz were recognized as Executives of the Year, while the Triathlon Association of the Philippines received the National Sports Association of the Year award.

The 2023 Fiba World Cup Philippine bid team led by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chair emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan received the President’s Award for bringing basketball’s biggest showcase back home.

Special citations: Four-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball); Marck Espejo, Dawn Macandili (Mr. and Ms. Volleyball).