MANILA, Philippines — History was made as standouts in the women's basketball and men's volleyball were recognized for the first time ever in the 2024 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night presented by San Miguel Corporation on Monday at the Discovery Suites Manila in Pasig.

Kent Pastrana of the University of Santo Tomas was hailed as the inaugural Collegiate Women's Basketball Player of the Year to headline a total of 23 awardees alongside Collegiate Men's Basketball Player of the Year Kevin Quiambao of La Salle.

Pastrana steered the Growling Tigresses to their first title in 17 years, toppling the mighty dynasty of seven-peat champion National U with a thrilling three-game series win to win the UAAP Season 86 finals.

She's also named the UAAP Player of the Year for team events in the league's closing ceremony last year before a fitting follow-up recognition from the CPC in the momentous ceremony also backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Pastrana also led the breakthrough Women's Mythical Five with her teammate and UAAP Finals MVP Tantoy Ferrer, FEU's Josee Kaputu, UP's Favour Onoh, and Kacey dela Rosa of Ateneo while Quiambao, who lifted La Salle to the UAAP Season 86 title to snap a seven-year drought, bannered the staple Men's Mythical Five with Rookie-MVP Clint Escamis of Mapua, UP's Malick Diouf, Lyceum's Enoch Valdez and Jacob Cortez of San Beda.

"It's our honor to be given this kind of opportunity sa women's basketball. Thank you for this award at sa walang pag-suporta sa amin," said Pastrana.

For the first time also, achievers in the men's volleyball were feted with well-deserved honors led by UAAP Men's Volleyball Player of the Year Owa Retamar of NU and NCAA Men's Volleyball Player of the Year Louie Ramirez of Perpetual.

Retamar pocketed the UAAP Season 86 Finals MVP and Best Setter while Ramirez captured the NCAA Season 99 MVP plum anew as the both the Bulldogs and the Altas won four straight titles.

"Sobrang saya po na ako 'yung napili para dito sa men's volleyball award. Masaya ako para sa men's volleyball na unti-unti nang nakilala syempre sa tulong ng media. Sila 'yung tumulong na magpalawak nito. Sana tuloy-tuloy para sa lahat ng kabataan na nanonood samin. Sana ma-inspire sila," said Retamar.

But the night didn't only belong to the players as mentors from women's basketball and volleyball also marked history and grand celebration.

Haydee Ong of UST copped the UAAP Women's Basketball Coach of the Year with Dante Alinsunurin of NU and Sammy Acaylar of Perpetual winning the UAAP Men's Volleyball and NCAA Men's Volleyball Coaches of the Year awards, respectively.

NU's Norman Miguel and Jerry Yee of three-peat champion College of St. Benilde's were named the UAAP Women's Volleyball and NCAA Women's Volleyball Coaches of the Year, respectively.

"It's the first time in history that you've given accolades and inclusivity for women's basketball. Maraming Salamat po. This award will not be possible without the help of the whole community and ecosystem of UST," said Ong.

Also in the spotlight of the event supported by Discovery Suites as official venue partner, Jockey, Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup and Virgil Villavicencio as supporters, were the winners of the staple awards in men's basketball and women's volleyball

For the second time, MVP Bella Belen of NU took home the UAAP Women's Volleyball Player of the Year while Cloanne Mondonedo of CSB, the first setter MVP in NCAA history, won the NCAA Women's Volleyball Player of the Year.

La Salle champion mentor Topex Robinson was named the UAAP Men's Basketball Coach of the Year while Yuri Escueta, who engineered San Beda's NCAA title run, was hailed as the NCAA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year. TMT