MANILA, Philippines?Manny Pacquiao doesn?t mind if somebody else gets the credit for his strength and seeming ring infallibility.
Faith, after all, has gotten him this far. And he believes it is his faith that will take him even further.
On a night when he was named hero of all sports heroes, the Filipino ring icon humbly sought everybody?s prayers as he marches into yet another huge challenge inside the squared circle.
?Sana ipagdasal niyo ako (I hope you?ll pray for me) against Ricky Hatton,? said the boxing billionaire, who will fight the British ?Hitman? on May 2 in Las Vegas.
It?s a plea Pacquiao has always made in his prior fights even with the boxing community acknowledging him as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Pacquiao, the only Filipino and Asian boxer to bag world titles in four different weight classes, received the Athlete of the Year and Hall of Fame awards at the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night Friday night.
?Lagi ako nagpapasalamat sa mga fans ko at sa inyong mga sportswriters para sa malaking tulong na ibinibigay niyo sa akin (I?m always thankful to the fans and sportswriters for all the support you?ve given me),? said Pacquiao.
Along with Pacquiao, boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr., wushu Olympian Willy Wang, professional cager Kelly Williams and champion jockey Jonathan Hernandez received major awards together with golfers Jennifer Rosales, Dorothy Delasin, Angelo Que, Dottie Ardina, pool idol Dennis Orcollo and race horses Go Army and Ibarra.
Varsity cager Norberto Torres and golfer AR Ramos also received the Tony Siddayao award for excellence in youth sports, while Sen. Manny Villar accepted the PSA President?s Award for his contribution to the development and promotion of billiards.
?Sports is now the number one source of pride of the Filipino people,? Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco said.
Joining Cojuangco in honoring the country?s top athletes were PSC chair Harry Angping, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, Pagcor?s Mike Cendana and PSA president Aldrin Cardona.
The Wushu Federation of the Philippines received the Outstanding National Sports Association plum, while the Thailand Para Games gold medalists, basketball cagers Jason Castro and Rabeh Al-Hussaini also received citations.
Mikee Romero, team owner of six-time PBL champions Harbour Centre, also earned a recognition along with UAAP overall champion University of Santo Tomas, UAAP seniors and juniors basketball champion Ateneo and three-time NCAA titlist San Beda.
Also honored were Kenneth San Andres, Stefano Marcelo, John Paul Gomez, Maico Buncio, Gerry Pe?alosa, Erlina Pecante, Jerrick Ternida, Ma. Inez Feria Jorge, Wilfredo Anglo, Chihiro Ikeda, Cheradee Camacho, Mary Catherine Rivilla, Jayson Gonzales, Ray Roquero, the Philippine Sports Institute, Nokia-Tao Corp., Pagcor?s Pinoy Sports Idol and Children?s Tennis Workshop.
