Filipino athletes 17 years old and below bound for the 18th Asian Games will hog the limelight in the first Phoenix Petroleum Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Wednesday at Century Park Hotel Manila Grand Ballroom.
Archer Nicole Tagle, judoka Maria Takahashi, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Kaitlin de Guzman are among the Siklab awardees competing in the Asiad set Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia.
Joining them are bowler Angelo Kenzo Umali and fencer Samantha Kyle Catantan, who will lead the 50 sports achievers to be conferred with the Philippine Olympic Committee Young Heroes awards.
Also to be feted are Andrew Kim Remolino (triathlon), Rex Luis Krog (cycling), Chezka Centeno (billiards), Alex Eala (tennis), Veruel Verdadero (athletics) and boxers Chriztian Pitt Laurente, Kenneth Dela Pena and John Vincent Pangga.
Joining them in the premier honor roll are Mary Angeline Alcantara (taekwondo), Rafael Barreto (swimming), Bea Hernandez (bowling), Sarah Barredo (badminton), Allaney Jia Doroy (chess), Ghen-yan Berdon (muay), Johnzenth Gajo (wushu), AJ Lim (tennis), Rosegie Ramos (weightlifting) and Bhay Newberry (swimming).
It will be the first time that an award-giving body such as Siklab will recognize the importance of the accomplishments of junior sports heroes.
POC Super Kids awardees: Kai Sotto (basketball), Tara Borlain (athletics), Marco Imbang Umgeher (alpine skiing), Dexy Manalo (canoe-kayak), Morris Madlos (sailing), Rizumu Ono (table tennis), John Paolo Rivero (weightlifting), Daniel Quizon (chess), Jane Linete Hipolito (weightlifting), Kieth Absalon (football), Justin Ceriola (jiu-jitsu), Trojan Dangadang (canoe-kayak), Christine Talledo (dragonboat, Eya Laure (volleyball).