THE spotlight falls on Jennifer Rosales and Manny Pacquiao come the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night, the way it did when the two made headlines in the year just passed.
The stylish Filipina golfer and the hardpunching Filipino southpaw have been named as Sporstwoman and Sportsman of the Year, respectively by the country?s oldest media organization for their outstanding exploits in 2004.
The 26-year-old Rosales scored a breakthrough win in the tough LPGA Tour with her triumph in the $1.6 million Fil-Chick A Championship in Stockbridge, Georgia, beating along the way some of the world?s finest lady golfers including no.1 Annika Sorenstam.
This marks the first time Rosales will be feted with the highest accolade given by the 90-member association, the first lady golfer to do so after Dorothy Delasin in 2001.
Same age as Rosales, Pacquiao held Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez to a controversial split draw during their highly-anticipated 12-round bout for the World Boxing Association (WBA)/International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight title.
A costly error committed by one of the three judges who scored the fight denied the pride and joy of General Santos City a clear victory, especially after the Filipino had a blazing start by knocking off his Mexican foe thrice in the opening round.
Pacquiao has been named PSA Athlete of the Year for the third straight time, making him only the second sports figure to achieve the feat after bowler Bong Coo from 1982 to 1984.
He also became one of the few athletes to win the award twice or more, in the company of Coo and fellow bowler Paeng Nepomuceno, trackstar Lydia de Vega-Mercado, swimmer Eric Buhain, golfers Frankie Mi?oza and Delasin, boxer Luisito Espinosa and billiards icon Efren ?Bata? Reyes.
Together, Rosales and Pacquiao lead the compact 65 awardees who made the honor roll list of the January 13 affair at the Manila Pavilion.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco is the special guest of honor in the 90-minute event sponsored by Red Bull, Supermax, PAGCOR, San Miguel Beer, the Philippine Sports Commission, San Miguel Beer, Accel and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, with NBN4 as the official carrying station.
PSA President Jimmy Cantor of Malaya said awardees who will not get their invitations in advance are advised to get theirs at the reception area before the rites.
For further information, please call Mr. Cantor at 527-76-51, (0920) 9044199 or PSA treasurer Joe S. Antonio at 527-84-21.
R&B princess Kyla is the guest performer of the affair to be hosted by amateur cage star Alex Compton of Monta?a and Lala Roque.
