PSA’s “Athlete of the Year” awardees, then and now
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
THE country’s oldest sports media organization, the Philippine Sports Association (PSA) headed by Philippine Star sports editor Nelson Beltran, will hold its traditional Awards Night on January 29 next year at Diamond Hotel in Manila. PSA will fete our country’s top performing athletes this year based on their international performances like the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup, Southeast Asian Games, Para Games, FIFA (International Association Football Federation) Women’s World Cup, particularly the 19th Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China. The star-studded Awards Night will showcase the Hangzhou Asian Games golden performances of EJ Obiena in pole vault, the conquests of Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez in jiu-jitsu, and the exceptional and monumental effort of our Gilas Pilipinas basketball team that after 61 years of gold medal drought, we finally recaptured the glory of the Philippines’ number one favorite sport, basketball.
PSA’s Athlete of the Year Award ceremony started in 1976, and despite bowling not being played in Olympics and Asian Games, the prestigious honor was initially given to 1976 world bowling champion Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno. However, the supposed annual affair was called off for three years, 1977 to 1979 and was only restored in 1980 with Nepomuceno winning again. But, the supposed yearly event was temporarily shelved anew in 1981. PSA resumed the event in 1982 and the honor was earned by track and field star Lydia de Vega.
From 1982 onward, the event was not interrupted. Nepomuceno and world’s only eight-division boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao both dominated the esteemed annual affair five times. Nepomuceno was selected again as PSA’s Athlete of the Year in 1983, 1992 and 1996, while Pacquiao earned his place in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008. Second to Nepomuceno and Pacquiao were weightlifter 2021 Olympic, Asian and SEA Games gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and four-division world professional boxing champion Nonito Donaire who received four PSA’s Athlete of the Year Awards, respectively. Diaz achieved it in 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2022 while Donaire earned it in 2007, 2011, 2014 and 2015. Third to receive three times were billiards world champion Efren “Bata” Reyes, world professional boxing champion Luisito Espinosa and track and field star Lydia de Vega. Reyes bagged the awards in 1999, 2000 and 2006, while Espinosa collected it in 1989, 1990 and 1998 and de Vega attained it in 1982, 1986 and 1987.
More notable athletes were given these awards like bowlers Bong Coo, Arianne Cerdeña, CJ Suarez and Biboy Rivera; swimmers Eric Buhain and Miguel Molina; billiards experts Federico “Django” Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Carlo Biado, Ronnie Alcano, Antonio Gabica and Rubilen Amit; golfers Miguel Tabuena, Ramon Brobio,Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, Frankie Miñoza, Dorothy Delasin, Jennifer Rosales and Lois Kaye Go; world boxing champions Donnie Nietes, Jerwin Ancajas, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Frank Cedeño, Rey Saludar, Carl Peñalosa, Gerry Peñalosa, amateur boxers Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, Leopoldo Serrantes, Roberto Jalnaiz, Elias Recaido, Reynaldo Gallido, Violito Payla; women boxers Joan Tipon and Josie Gabuco, athletics Marestella Torres and Elma Muros; taekwondo Ranni Ann Ortega, Janice Lagman and Camille Alarilla; archery Joann Chan, gymnastics Pia Adelle Reyes, equestrian sports Mikee Cojuangco, wushu Rene Catalan, BMX cycling Daniel Caluag, roller sports Margielyn Didal and the last but not the least basketball star Jason Castro. These athletes received one or two PSA’s Athlete of the Year Awards. Yes, no road bike athletes were given yet by PSA officials, so far.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. MATTHEW 6: 7-8
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