The 2021 San Miguel Corporation (SMC) - Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards was an annual awarding ceremony honoring the top sports personalities (athletes, coaches - living and deceased, national sports associations & organizations) who made tremendous contribution to Philippine sports in the year 2020 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the postponement and cancellation of major sports events in the country within the first months of the community quarantine and the resumption of sporting tournaments under the bubble setup.
The awards night was held on March 27, 2021. For the first time in the history of the awards and in time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's edition was staged via hybrid or virtual format, with most of the awardees, including those who reside and train overseas, hooked up online and the awards proper was conducted at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong. The PSA Awards were aired via delayed telecast on One Sports+ Channel, the following day.
William "Butch" Ramirez, Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission, served as the guest speaker of the awards night.
The organizer, Philippine Sportswriters Association, under its president Eriberto "Tito" S. Talao of Manila Bulletin is considered as the country's oldest media organization, with membership consisting of sportswriters, section editors and columnists from various sports websites, newspapers and tabloids in the Philippines.
Honor roll Main awards The following are the list of main awards of the event.
Athlete of the Year For her back-to-back championship triumphs in the NEC Karuizawa Championship and the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament of LPGA of Japan Tour last year, Fil-Japanese professional golfer Yuka Saso was named as the Athlete of the Year of the PSA.
This is the second time that Saso bagged the prestigious award, as she have won the same honors in the 2019 PSA Annual Awards, along with 2018 Asian Games gold medalists Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go of golf, Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting and Margielyn Didal of skateboarding.
Award Winner Sport ReferencesAthlete of the Year Yuka Saso Golf
Other major awardees Here are the other major awards to be conferred in the Awards Night.
Award Winner Sport/Team/Recognition References Lifetime Achievement Award Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco (Posthumous) Basketball (Long-time supporter of Philippine Basketball; patron of Northern Consolidated, San Miguel Corporation and DLSU Green Archers basketball teams) Jose "Joey" Romasanta Volleyball (One-time Gintong Alay project director; former 1st vice president, Philippine Olympic Committee; former president, Philippine Karatedo Federation & Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc.) Renauld "Sonny" Barrios Basketball (Former commissioner, Philippine Basketball Association; executive director, Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas) National Sports Association of the Year Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) Boxing (Bagging 4 2021 Tokyo Olympics berths for Boxing: Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam & Nesthy Petecio) President's Award Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Cycling (President, Philippine Olympic Committee and Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines) Executive of the Year Willie Marcial Basketball (Commissioner, Philippine Basketball Association) Chooks-to-Go Fan Favorite "Manok ng Bayan" Award Manny Pacquiao Boxing (8-Time World Boxing Champion, Philippine Senator & Philanthropist / For helping the countrymen affected by the COVID-19 pandemic) Special Recognition Soldier-Athletes/Frontliners (i.e. Nikko Huelgas, Maria Claire Adorna, Jovelyn Gonzaga) For their outstanding service and bravery to help the Filipinos in time of COVID-19 pandemic
Major awardees Sorted in alphabetical order (based on their surnames).
Winner Sport/Team/Recognition References Johnriel Casimero Professional Boxing Alex Eala Tennis Pedro Taduran Professional Boxing
Citations Sorted in alphabetical order (based on their surnames).
Winner Sport/Team/Recognition References Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Basketball James de los Santos Karate Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Margielyn Didal Skateboarding Christine Organiza-Hallasgo Athletics (Marathon) Kristina Knott Athletics (Sprint) Irish Magno Boxing Eumir Felix Marcial Boxing William Morrison Athletics (Shot Put) National Basketball League-Philippines Basketball Ernest Obiena Athletics (Pole Vault) George Luis Oconer Cycling Motic Panugalinog Skateboarding Philippine Basketball Association Basketball Philippines Football League Football Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance Team Cycling Vanessa Sarno Weightlifting Sander Severino Para Chess Sydney Sy-Tancontian Sambo Natalie Uy Athletics (Pole Vault)
Posthumous Honors The following recognitions, will be bestowed upon former national & collegiate athletes, officials and sports personalities who died in 2020. They will be honor with a short audio-video presentation and a one-minute moment of silence.
Winner Sport/Team/Recognition Date of death References Albert Almendralejo Basketball/Football August 7 Salvador "Buddy" Andrada Tennis April 8 Jomar Ang Karting April 8 Alyana Bautista Football July 23 Oscar "Dodong" Bascon Basketball July 22 Orlando Bauzon Basketball September 5 WIM Arianne Caoili Chess March 30 Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Basketball June 16 Sudan Daniel Basketball December 26 Vangie de Jesus Volleyball November 21 Aric Del Rosario Basketball March 25 Rudy del Rosario Football November 20 Ronald Dulay Volleyball August 3 Laura Elorde Boxing May 3 Maui Huelar Basketball April 16 Celestina Beatrice Luna Football May 26 Nic Jorge Basketball June 13 Alexander Lim Bowling April 1 Alfonso "Boy" Marquez Basketball April 15 Teddyvic Melendres Sportswriting December 26 Junel Mendiola Basketball June 16 Rico Navarro Basketball/Sportswriting October 27 Oliver Ongtawco Bowling June 8 Gene Poliarco Chess April 5 Iñaki Vicente Football January 9 Josie Veguillas Ice skating November 2 Domingo "Coach Waray" Villanueva Cycling April 7 Randy Villanueva Tennis October 27
See also 2020 in Philippine sports
References