A SENATOR considered among the top supporters of Philippine sports is the recipient of the President’s Award in next week’s San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards’ Night at the Alegria Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel.

Former Senate President Manuel Villar will be conferred of the award during the Feb. 20 ceremony for his active role as major backer of Filipino athletes, particularly in the field of billiards.

Last year, the senator launched the Manny Villar Cup, the island-hopping pool series intended to promote the sport nationwide. Its second season is set to begin on Feb. 22 with the Panagbenga leg in Baguio City.

“It is with great pride and honor to bestow Senator Villar with the PSA President’s Cup,” said Daily Tribune sports editor Aldrin Cardona, president of the country’s oldest media organization, whose Annual Awards’ Night is being sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Villar joins a distinguished list of past President Award recipients, including boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, the 2002 Ateneo men’s basketball team, mountain climbers Pastour Emata, Leo Oracion and Romy Garduce, bowlers Liza del Rosario, Liza Clutario and Cecilia Yap and cage legend Alvin Patrimonio.

Pacquiao is on top of the 60 sports personalities and entities to be honored by members and officers of the PSA, composed of editors and sportswriters from the daily broadsheets and tabloids. The boxing idol from General Santos City is the runaway choice as the 2008 Athlete of the Year and will be formally enshrined into the PSA Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, set to be conferred with major awards are Willy Wang (wushu), golfers Jennifer Rosales, Dorothy Delasin, Dottie Ardina and Angelo Que, Wesley So (chess), Nonito Donaire (pro boxing), Kelly Williams (pro basketball), Dennis Orcollo (billiards), Jonathan Hernandez (horseracing), Ibarra and Go Army (horseracing).

Also supporting the event are Villar Foundation, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Shakey’s, Accel, Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, National Capital Region Athletic Association, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Purefoods, Ginebra, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Rain or Shine, Ever Bilena, Harbour Centre, Liga Pilipinas, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Pharex, Games and Amusements Board and Mighty Sports Association.