FOR his breakthrough feat in last year’s Asian Tour, golfer Juvic Pagunsan will be bestowed the Presidential Achievement Award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) when it holds its Annual Awards Night next month at the Manila Hotel.

Pagunsan, 33, was the unanimous choice for the honor by the country’s sportswriting fraternity for his sterling performance in the Asian circuit that saw him become the first Filipino to top the Order of Merit race.

The pro golfer from Bacolod City actually, was also in the running for the coveted Athlete of the Year award, but was edged out by boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. and billiards’ world no. 1 player Dennis Orcollo.

Nonetheless, as the latest recipient of the PSA Presidential Achievement Award on March 3, Pagunsan is in great company as previous winners of the honor include global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the Philippine Azkals, four-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) MVP Alvin Patrimonio, the Ateneo Blue Eagles team, Senator Manny Villar, and the world women’s trio champion of Liza Del Rosario, Liza Clutario, and Cecilia Yap.

Pagunsan captured the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for topping the rankings with substantial earnings of $788,298 (P34 million). He was later, named Players’ Player of the Year during the Asian Tour Awards Gala held in Bangkok .

In 2011, Pagunsan finished within the top 10 in the Taiwan Mercuries Masters, ISPS Singapore Classic, and UBS Hong Kong Open, before stunning the Asian golf circuit with a strong runner up finish in the rich Singapore Open, where he was in the running for the whopping $1 million purse until losing in a dramatic title playoff against Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño of Spain.

But placing second earned him $600,000, suddenly catapulting him on top of the Order of Merit race down from 64th spot, and assured him of his 2012 OOM card.

More importantly, as the reigning Asian Tour champion, Pagunsan clinched an automatic invitation to the British Open and a spot in the World Golf Championship Cadillac Classic, two of the biggest events in the global golf calendar.

“As one of our sporting greats who brought honor and pride to the country last year in the world of golf, Juvic Pagunsan is truly deserving of the PSA’s Presidential Achievement Award,” said Rey Bancod of Tempo, president of the country’s oldest media organization established in 1949 and composed of editors and sportswriters from national broadsheets and tabloids.

Together with Donaire and Orcollo – co-winners of the 2011 Athlete of the Year award – Pagunsan leads a long list of personalities and entities to be recognized during the formal, two-hour rite presented by Smart, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Harbour Centre, SM Prime Holdings, Philippine Basketball Association, Milo, ICTSI, and Coca-Cola.

A total of 19 athletes representing different sports will be given major awards during the affair where Vice-President Jejomar Binay serves as guest of honor and keynote speaker, while the gold medalists in the 26th Southeast Asian Games banner the recipients of special citations.

The partial results:

PSA AWARDEES

Athletes of the Year:    

Dennis Orcollo

Nonito Donaire Jr.

Presidential Achievement Award: Juvic Pagunsan

Major Awardees: Brian Villoria (pro boxing);Ana Julaton (pro boxing; Donnie Nietes (pro boxing); Mark Anthony Barriga (amateur boxing); Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes (billiards);

Rubilen Amit (billiards); Jessie Aligaga (wushu); Dembert Arcita (wushu); Dragon Boat team; Jimmy Alapag (pro basketball); Calvin Abueva (amateur basketball); Bobby Parks Jr.(amateur basketball); Jhonnel Ababa (pro golf); Dottie Ardina (amateur golf); Rupert Zaragosa (amateur golf);Magna Carta (Horse of the Year); Jesse Guce (Jockey of the Year); Kenneth San Andres (motocross);   Malvinne Ann Alcala (badminton)

Citations: All Gold medalists, 26th Southeast Asian Games