Teen golf sensation Yuka Saso led the 32 awardees recognized in the 2020 Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards night on Saturday, March 27.

The annual awards night – which was held virtually for the first time – presented a short honor roll comprised of sportsmen who continued to don the country’s colors and entities that soldiered on in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted the world of sports.

“Maraming salamat po sa Philippine Sportswriters Association sa pagbigay and pagkilala sa akin bilang Athlete of the Year ulit,” said Saso, who received the award for the second time since 2018, which she then shared with fellow golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go, skateboarder, Margielyn Didal, and Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

“Malaking karangalan ito sa akin at sa pamilya ko po. Patuloy po ako magbibigay ng karalangan sa ating bansa. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!”

(Thank you to the Philippine Sportswriters Association for recognizing me as the Athlete of the Year again. This is a big honor for me and my family. I’ll continue to bring glory to our country. More power to the Filipino athletes!)

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 19-year-old golfer turned pro in 2020 and bagged two straight titles in the Japan LPGA and landed a 13th place finish in her first LPGA major championship in the US Open last December. 

Saso was impressive as a rookie as she entered 2021 ranked 45th in the world and topped the money ranking with earnings amounting to P50 million during her pro debut season.

Also receiving major awards are tennis sensation Alex Eala, and boxers Johnriel Casimero and Pedro Taduran.

“The future is so uncertain,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez. “The past is out of reach, so I wish that we all say for the present – where we all find ourselves now with family and friends, celebrating our heroes in sports – I would like to congratulate all the awardees tonight. This is to your achievements.”

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino was presented with the President’s Award, while PBA commissioner Willie Marcial nabbed the Executive of the Year award.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) bagged the National Sports Association of the Year award for the second straight year, and the trio of esteemed sports leaders Jose A. Romasanta, Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, and the late Ambassador and basketball godfather Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco Jr were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement award.

Boxing legend and Senator Manny Pacquiao received the Chooks-to-Go Fan Favorite “Manok ng Bayan” award.

PSA also recognized 20 personalities and entities who were given citation awards:

• Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting)
• Eumir Marcial (boxing)
• Irish Magno (boxing)
• Margielyn Didal (skateboarding)
• Motic Panugalinog (skateboarding)
• EJ Obiena (athletics)
• Kristina Knott (athletics) 
• Natalie Uy (athletics)  
• William Morrison (athletics) 
• Christine Hallasgo (athletics) 
• OJ delos Santos (karate)
• Sander Severino (chess) 
• Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting)
• Sydney Sy (sambo)
• George Oconer (cycling) 
• Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)
• Philippines Football League (PFL)
• Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 
• National Basketball League (NBL)
• Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance Cycling Team

The athletes who served as frontliners amid the pandemic, represented by champion triathlete Nikko Huelgas, were also honored in the awards night, while the departed friends of Philippine sports were given tribute. – Rappler.com