Carlos Yulo headlines PSA Awards Night as the Athlete of the Year
Double gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo led the list of the awardees in the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night as he received the highest honor of being the Athlete of the Year on Monday night, January 28, at the Manila Hotel.
Yulo won two gold medals in gymnastics at the 2024 Olympics held in Paris, France, to make him the best choice of the PSA to receive the award.
In the end, Yulo said to all the Filipinos, “Ang panalong ‘to, ay panalo nating lahat.”
Caloy thanked the Lord and the people that supported him all the way. He also recognized the former Olympians whom he believed paved the way for him to get to where he is right now. They were also given special recognition in the awards night
“Unang una po sobrang nagpapasalamat po, super grateful. Nagpapasalamat po sa Panginoon sa mga nakuha pong possibilities, blessings po na binigay niya sakin. Lahat po kami dito winner. Di po ako naiiba sa kanila, di rin sila naiiba sakin,” said Yulo.
“Saludo ako sa hard work and dedication na ibinibida sa pang araw-araw na training, para sa kanila 'tong lahat,” he added.
In the end, Yulo said to all the Filipinos, “Ang panalong ‘to, ay panalo nating lahat.”
Besides Carlos Edriel, the other athletes who were given recognitions were: Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo (Hall of Fame), Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas (President’s Award), Abraham Tolentino (Executive of the Year), Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (NSA of the Year), June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball – Pro), Kevin Quiambao (Mr. Basketball – Amateur), and Jia Morado-De Guzman (Ms. Volleyball).
Another set of Major Awards were given to the following: Rubilen Amit and Carlo Biado (billiards), Melvin Jerusalem and Pedro Taduran (boxing), Daniel Quizon (chess), Rianne Malixi (golf), Tachiana Mangin (taekwondo), John Alvin Guce (Jockey of the Year), Batang Manda (Horse of the Year), and former DILG secretary Benhur Abalos (Horse Owner of the Year).
The Olympians who received special recognition for Paris Olympics participation were: EJ Obiena, Lauren Hoffman, and John Cabang (athletics), Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial and Hergie Bacyadan (boxing), Samantha Catantan (fencing), Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, Levi Jung-Ruivivar (gymnastics), Kiyome Watanabe (judo), Joanie Delgaco (rowing), Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch (swimming), Elreen Ann Ando, John Ceniza and Vanessa Saro (weightlifting).
It was also a night that the country’s Paris Paralympians were given some spotlight to get their well-deserved recognition.
The awardees of the Paris Paralympics were Agustina Bantiloc (para archery), Jerrold Mangliwan and Cendy Asusna (para athletics), Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom (para swimming), and Allain Ganapin (para taekwondo).
There was also an Special Award to the NCAA as the Cradle of Sporting Heroes.
Juan Karlo Libunao (JKL)
Caloy Yulo receives his Athlete of the Year trophy during the PSA Awards Night on Monday night at the Manila Hotel
Other citations were given to Isabella Joseline Butler (jiu-jitsu), Ruelle Canico (chess), Johann Chua (billiards), Angeline Colonioa (weightlifting), Kheith Rhynne Cruz (table tennis), Marc Dylan Custodio (bowling), Mark John Lexer Galedo (cycling), Lovely Inan (weightlifting), Albert James “AJ” Manas (billiards), Reggie Ramirez (powerlifting), Jessa Mae Tabuan (powerlifting), Karl Eldrew Yulo (gymnastics), Creamline Cool Smashers (volleyball), Dragon Boat National Team, Philippine Volcanoes (rugby), Philippine Baseball Team, Centennial 7 (sailing), and Ramon “Tats” Suzara (volleyball).
The next generation of athletes also received recognition.
The Tony Siddayao awardees were Aleia Aielle Aguilar (jiu-jitsu), Alexander Gabriel Delos Reye (wushu), Sophia Shekaina Cantantan (fencing), Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Behrouz Mohammad Modjeh (swimming), Paul Sondrie Capinig and Mariam Grace Balisme (wrestling).
With all the awardees having their own moments to shine, the Yulo brothers also had their own when they finally shared the floor together and gave compliments to one another before the night ended.
Jamie Malonzo is heading back to Japan after signing with Earthfriends Tokyo Z for the 2026-27 season, the team announced in an Instagram post.
"Earth Friends Tokyo Z would like to inform you that we have reached a basic agreement with Jamie Malonzo for the 2026-2027 season," the club wrote.
Malonzo left Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in 2025 to pursue a professional basketball career abroad and signed with Kyoto Hannaryz last season. However, he was later waived by the team.
He played only five games in the organization before being released, averaging 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game during his stint.
Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson has re-signed with the defending champion New York Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million contract.
Clarkson averaged 10.8 minutes per game during the Knicks' championship run. His role as a scoring spark off the bench helped ease the workload of the team's starters and provided valuable depth throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season.
His impact and influence played a crucial part in helping New York contend for and ultimately win the championship during the previous season.
The Knicks captured the 2026 NBA title against the San Antonio Spurs, ending a championship drought that lasted nearly half a century.
He also posted on his Instagram account following his extension with the Knicks.
"still in this dream, NY! run it back! love ," he wrote.
John Amores is returning to professional basketball after signing a one-conference contract with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Titan welcomed him through a Facebook post, announcing his comeback representing the team.
"A NEW CHAPTER STARTS NOW. Welcome back to the PBA, John Amores. Welcome to the Titan Ultra Giant Risers family. Let’s get to work," they wrote.
Before his professional basketball license was revoked, Amores averaged 5.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per game for the NorthPort Batang Pier during the 2024-2025 PBA season.
John and his brother were involved in a shooting incident in Laguna in September 2024, which led the suspension from the PBA, along with revoking his license by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Earlier this week, he posted a video of himself at GAB, where he officially retrieved his license, and is now cleared to resume playing in professional leagues.
Ahead of his PBA comeback, Titan is set to face Terrafirma this Friday.
Alas Pilipinas Women's team shared photos on its Instagram account during training for the upcoming SEA V.League and the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.
Taka Minowa, a former head coach in the Premier Volleyball League with the Akari Chargers, will take over as the new head coach of the nat'l team after being recruited by the POC for his service.
The roster is composed of setters with captain Jia De Guzman, Marionne Angelique Alba, Maria Angelica Cayuna; liberos Justine Ylizeth Jazareno, Jennifer Nierva, Dawn Nicole Catindig, Shaira Jardio.
They will also be joined by outside hitters Mhicaela Belen, Vanessa Gandler, Ejiya Laure, Alleiah Jan Malaluan, Angel Anne Canino, Shaina Marie Nitura; as well as middle blockers Janette Panaga, Dell Palomata, Thea Gagate, Mereophe Sharma, Amie Provido, Nina Ytang.
Completing the line-up are opposite hitters Alyssa Solomon, Erika Santos, and Arah Panique.
Alas secured bronze in the 2025 SEA V.League after sweeping Indonesia 25-17, 25-17, 28-26. The team also qualified for the Asian Games due to its current FIVB rankings among asian teams, standing at No. 10.
SEA V.League will take place in Vietnam on July 31 to August 2, while the Asian Games will be held in Japan beginning September 19.
