by Neil Bravo
Youth Olympian and SEA Games standout Jose Joaquin Gonzalez, judoka Jenilou Mosqueda, triathlete Mary Pauline Fornea and newly-minted FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus are this year’s co-winners of the So Kim Cheng Foundation Athlete of the Year awards.
The prestigious annual awards for the city’s top sports performers will be held on Sunday in glitzy ceremonies at the Grand Regal Hotel.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has been invited as guest of honor of this year’s awards ceremonies organized by the So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation through the Davao City Sports Council.
Also expected to attend the trophy presentation rites is Philippine Sports Commission executive director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr.
Phoenix Petroleum Philippines’ CEO Dennis Uy will be feted for the contribution of the Davao-based oil firm to sports development through their involvement in basketball, long distance running, and football. Regino “Boy” Cua, regional SBP director, is likewise receiving a special award for his contribution to basketball development.
DCSC President Beethoven Sur will lead the presentation of awards.
Receiving citations for their achievements in their respective sports are Care Jason Monterola and Adelfa Sagne (arnis), Michael Constantino and Charito Bajuyo (athletics), Earl Ryan del Socorro (baseball), Loraine Gestopa (basketball), Marvin Miciano and Ella Grace Moulic (chess), Rachel Calida (duckpin bowling), Darius Joseph Ramos Diamante and Janna Raizel Teruel Barcemo (football), Joey Andrade and Ruth Dugaduga (judo), Arthur Lao and Carmela Marie Estarija (karatedo), Juan Paolo Cansino and Jenni Celine Dizon (tennis), Melvin Dagatan (sepak takraw), Edmer del Socorro (softball) and Jacqueline Caragao (table tennis).
Also receiving special citations areVicente Floirendo (drag racing), Rene Anne Castillo and Hakeem Cariga (tennis), Sydney Sy Tancontian (judo), Chino Sy Tancontian (Jiu Jitsu), Ale Brashary Cale (mixed martial arts) and Maiquel Jawn Selga and Felipe Angelo Cordero (wakeboard).
This year’s outstanding coaches are Vincent Ryan Sarabia (baseball) and Grendel Ilogon (sepak takraw).
Completing the citations are the team awards to the University of Mindanao (UM) baseball team, 2012 NSBC collegiate champion Jose Maria College, 2012 NSBC secondary winner Assumption College of, Daciba Homer men’s team, Davao Football Association, UM sepak takraw and volleyball teams and the Davao Tchoukball men’s and women’s teams.
