(UPDATE) RISING talent Alex Eala and star player Diana Mae "Tots" Carlos will have a share of the spotlight in the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night.
Eala, 18, is going to be crowned Ms. Tennis, while Carlos, 25, will be hailed Ms. Volleyball during the formal affair set January 29 at the Diamond Hotel grand ballroom.
The two will be joined by June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball) and Sarina Bolden (Ms. Football) as recipients of a special award from the country's oldest media organization headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star, for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields in 2023.
All four personalities form part of the huge 130-plus awardees who are included in the PSA honor roll.
Highlight of the event is the bestowing of the prestigious Athlete of the Year Award to world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena.
A recipient of a Major Awards two years ago, Eala will be honored this time for a hectic year that saw the Filipina netter establishing herself as an emerging force in the sport by winning two ITF Circuit titles and barging in the Top 200 rankings in the world.
At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Eala ended a 61-year medal drought for Philippine tennis by winning the bronze in the women's single event, and then teamed up with Francis Casey Alcantara for a podium finish in the mixed doubles.
Carlos, meanwhile, distinguished herself as one of the best volleyball players in the country today by leading Creamline to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) First All-Filipino Conference title opposite Petro Gazz in the absence of injured star Alyssa Valdez.
During the same tournament, the product of the University of the Philippines from Lubao, Pampanga was adjudged PVL MVP, marking the third time she won the league's highest individual honor.
Before the end of 2023, Carlos also steered the Cool Smashers to the Second All-Filipino Conference championship where she was named Finals MVP following a two-game sweep of Choco Mucho.
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