Thursday, January 31, 2008 Davao athletes are PSA awardees By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
THE Davao City divers' two gold medals in the 24th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand helped Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa) win the Most Outstanding National Sports Association (NSA) in the coming San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards.
Of course, the feat of 23-year-old swimmer Miguel Molina, recipient of the SEA Games Best Male Athlete honor for sweeping four golds of the total eight golds that Philippines won in swimming, was the main factor for the PSA award.
Davao City's Sheila Mae Perez pocketed a gold in the women's individual diving three-meter springboard event while her teammates Jaime Asok and Rexel Ryan Fabriga added another gold in men's 10-meter synchronized platform. They will be among those who will be given citations in the PSA Annual Awards.
Since diving falls in the umbrella of Pasa, the sports body hauled a total of 10 golds.
Thus, PSA cited Pasa as the NSA that did exceptionally well last year. PSA is headed by its president Aldrin Cardona of Tribune.
PASA, with its president Mark Joseph, will join other personalities during the awards night set on February 16 at the SM Mall of Asia.
Molina is also a strong contender for the Athlete of the Year award along with reigning world boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr., ring idol Manny Pacquiao, young chess Grandmaster Wesley So, golfer Frankie Miñoza, and billiards king Ronnie Alcano.
