ASIDE from honoring the various achievers of Cebu sports last year, the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) will also honor today?s most notable Filipino athlete?Manny Pacquiao?during the annual SAC-SMC Cebu Sports Awards at the Casino Espa?ol on Feb. 18.
Manny Pacquiao, who won two belts in two divisions last year and also defeated Oscar de la Hoya, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
?Pacquiao is the greatest Filipino athlete ever. It?s just fitting that the Cebuano sporting community recognize Manny with the ?Lifetime Achievement Award.? Also, what an honor for our top Cebuano athletes to see and hear Pacquiao speak at our event. His presence will add star-power to this already star-studded affair,? said SAC president John Pages.
Also expected to attend the 27th SAC-SMC awards are Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella, Gov. Gwen Garcia, Acting Mayor Mike Rama, Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem and Cebu City Sports Commission head Michel Lhuillier.
Aside from Pacquiao, SAC will also honor the different individuals and teams who made their mark in sports last year.
Awardees
This year?s major awardees are Leszl Lumindas-Gitaruelas (athletics), Gregory Slaughter and M. Lhuillier Kwarta-Cebu Ni?os (basketball), Janelle Tabio and Florian Gutierrez (beach volley), Kimberly Lao (bowling), Donnie Nietes and Gerry Pe?alosa (pro boxing), Joseph Sanchez and Kim Steven Yap (chess), Annabelle and Joel Madera (dancesport), Don Bosco Technology Center (football), Irina Gabasa, (golf), Tracy Badonio (gymnastics), Alford Marimon (judo), Juan Antonio Carcel (karting), Vince Marc Tabotabo (lawn tennis), Teodoro Martus (scrabble) Cris Panes (shooting), Loren Dale Echavez (swimming), Michael Motel (table tennis), and Kelly Kaye Rojas (weightlifting).
Paralympian Arnold Balais will also be elevated to the SAC Hall of Fame for his consistent achievements.
Aside from the major awardees, SAC will also give citations to Lindley Fran Navaja (athletics) Doce Pares of Grandmasters Dionisio ?Dionnie? Ca?ete and Ciriaco ?Noy Cacoy? Ca?ete (arnis), Jusabelle Brillo (beach volley), Jomar Jumapao (bowling), Milan Milendo (pro boxing), Charlea Lagaras (dancesport), Gio Gandiongco (golf), Sidney Metante (karatedo), Paco Rodriguez (karting), Sally Mae Siso (lawn tennis), Seigfred Ornopia and Jon-Jon Adlawan (motocross), Yaw-Yan Cebu ArDigma Martial Arts Federation Inc. of Master Benigno ?Ekin? R. Caniga, Jr. and Universal reality Combat Challenge (URCC) of Renault Lao (mixed martial arts), Angelic Lado (weightlifting), and Luis Ansag (wrestling).
SAC will also announce this year?s Athlete of the Year, taken from the different major awardees, during awards night along with the Sportsman of the Year, Presidential and the Orlacsan Memorial Awardees. (Pooled Report)
