J-Ro and PacMan.
Two athletes who enjoyed huge success in the year about to end and arguably the wealthiest among the locals in their respective sports.
From Georgia to Las Vegas in a week?s span last summer, golf star Jennifer Rosales and boxing idol Manny Pacquiao showcased the stuff Filipino athletes are made of as they turned in worthy performances in their respective fields in the face of world-class opposition.
Rosales, the lady they fondly call J-Ro, ended her long title drought in the tough Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour as she won the Chick-Fil-A Championship at the expense of some of the world?s finest golfers in Stockbridge, Georgia.
The triumph?worth $240,000 (P13.4 million)?cemented Rosales? status as one of the game?s budding stars, a reputation the five-time Philippine Ladies Open champion would further enhance by year?s end when she crashed the top 10 of the LPGA Tour?s money list.
Barely a week after that, Pacquiao held World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation featherweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez, to a controversial split draw during their highly anticipated 12-round title fight at the MGM Grand Arena.
The 26-year-old pride and joy of General Santos City floored his tough Mexican foe thrice in the first round, and if not for a contentious scorecard by one of the judges, could have won his third world title.
Together, their impressive exploits are definitely one for the ages, living proof that Filipino athletes are truly world class.
Owing to that and for warming the hearts of Filipino fans in these trying times, the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Tuesday named Rosales and Pacquiao as its Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.
Both athletes will be honored in the PSA?s Annual Awards Night on January 13 at the Manila Pavilion.
The two lead the more than 60 athletes and entities to be honored during simple, 90-minute rites to be put up by the country?s oldest organization of media practitioners.
The award will be a record third straight for Pacquiao, having also been bestowed the highest accolade given by the body in 2002 and 2003.
The 25-year-old Rosales, meanwhile, made it for the first time.
Special awards are to be given to billiards player Alex Pagulayan for winning the 2004 World Pool Championship in Taipei and Olympians Jasmin Figeuroa and Antoinette Rivero following their inspiring showing in the Athens Games.
Four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio is the recipient of the Presidential Award while former Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit will be honored with the Leadership Award.
Chess players Mark Paragua and Nelson Mariano head the honorees in the major awards that include Liza del Rosario (bowling), Django Bustamante and Efren ?Bata? Reyes (billiards), Rhyan Tanguilig (cycling), Gabriel Espinas (amateur basketball), Angelo Que (golf) and Pat Dilema (horseracing).
Promising chess player Wesley So will be the recipient of the year?s Tony Siddayao award, given to young athletes who made their mark.
To be elevated to the PSA Hall of Fame are former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado and Mona Sulaiman of athletics, and cage greats Carlos Loyzaga and Lauro Mumar of basketball.
The complete list of awardees:
SPORTSWOMAN/SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR Jennifer Rosales/Manny Pacquiao
SPECIAL AWARDS Alex Pagulayan Jasmine Figueroa Antoinette Rivero
PRESIDENTIAL AWARD Alvin Patrimonio
MAJOR AWARDS Mark Paragua/Nelson Mariano 3rd (chess) Liza del Rosario (bowling) Django Bustamante/Efren ?Bata? Reyes (billiards) Rhyan Tanguilig (cycling) Gabriel Espinas (amateur basketball) Angelo Que (golf) Pati Dilema (horseracing)
TONY SIDDAYAO AWARD Wesley So
LEADERSHIP AWARD Celso Dayrit
HALL OF FAME Mona Sulaiman/Lydia de Vega (athletics) Caloy Loyzaga/Lauro Mumar (basketball)
POSTHUMOUS Boy Arazas, Agustin Cailao, Fely Fajardo, Purita Negal Jacinto, Faustino Medina, Boy Mendez, Ernie Singson, Teddy Alfarero
CITATIONS
Randy Suico, Gabby de la Merced, Chot Reyes, Matteo Guidicelli, Don Bosco, Michelle Bumgarner, Glenn Aguilar, AR Ramos, Anjou Jellicoe Mauricio Yolanda Mendigoria, Juvic Pagunsan, Enrique Rafael Rosales, Milo Best, Henry Dagmil, Tagaytay City, Marichi Gandionco, Kenneth San Andres, Miguel Tabuena, JR Gonzales, Totoy Tingzon, Hermie Esguerra, Ato Badolato, Jayvee Agojo, Rene Catalan, Roy Vence, RP archery team, Arvin Ting, Tyson Sy
OUSTANDING NSAs Tae Kwon Do, Badminton
