EJ Obiena's parents receive his award as the Athlete of the Year 2023 at the PSA Annual Awards Night at Diamond Hotel in Manila, January 29, 2024. Handout/PSA.
MANILA -- The best performing Filipino athletes of the past year were recognized at the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night at Diamond Hotel in Manila City, Monday.
EJ Obiena, the pole vaulting superstar, received the 'Athlete of the Year' citation after reaching the world No. 2 spot in the sport, trailing only Olympic champion Armand Duplantis.
The Gilas Pilipinas Men’s basketball team was recognized with the President’s Award for breaking a 61-year gold-medal drought at the Asian Games.
EJ Obiena earns Athlete of the Year honors from PSA
"Justin Brownlee is going to be our naturalized player if everything works out with FIBA," he said.
"We'll hopefully free him up for the window. We have four players from Japan -- one of them is here now. But Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo," said Cone.
Meanwhile, the Philippine women’s football team was honored with the ‘Golden Lady Booters’ special award for their historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut and first win, contributing significantly to women’s sports.
Agatha Wong was given recognition for her gold medal-clinching performance at the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh for Wushu.
"I think all my hard work has paid off, and I'm really happy to be a part of this event. Very meaningful because wushu is not a very celebrated sport here in the Philippines, and I'm really glad that I get to be the face of my sport," she said.
The event also celebrated other sports icons, including Lifetime Achievement Awardees Allan Caidic and the late Samboy Lim, as well as coaches Dante Silverio, Joe Lipa, and Arturo Valenzona.
Notable individuals like Meggie Ochoa, Annie Ramirez, June Mar Fajardo, Tots Carlos, Sarina Bolden, and Alex Eala, among others, were also feted for their achievements in their respective sports.
Up-and-coming athletes to be feted in PSA Awards
June Mar Fajardo, Sarina Bolden earn top honors in PSA Awards