Pinoy SEAG gold winners earn PSA citation

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino gold medalists in the 26th Southeast Asian Games will get a special citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association when it holds its Annual Awards Night on March 3 at the Manila Hotel.

Double gold medalists Iris Ranola of billiards and Francisco Alquiros of bridge lead the 36 Filipino athletes who topped their respective events during the biennial meet held in Jakarta, Palembang and West Java.

Other notable gold medal winners include Marestella Torres, who shattered the meet record in the women’s long jump, and bowler Frederick Ong, the most bemedalled among the Filipino delegation with five, including the gold in men’s singles.

The 512-strong PH athletes also grabbed 55 silver medals and 75 bronze medals to finish in sixth place in the two-week event held last November.

All 36 gold medalists share centerstage on this night when the sportswriting fraternity bestows on pool king Dennis Orcollo and boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr. the 2011 Athletes of the Year title.

Torres was PSA co-Athlete of the Year in 2009 when she won the gold in the same event during the Asian Championships.

Vice President Jejomar Binay will be gracing the event presented by Smart, Milo, SM Prime Holdings, ICTSI, the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Harbour Centre, Philippine Basketball Association, and Coca-Cola, where the top achievers of the past year will be honored.

Still being deliberated are other recipients of major awards in different sports, according to PSA president Rey Bancod of Tempo.