Cebu's Premier Sports Awards Set to Celebrate Athletic Excellence
The most distinguished and accomplished stars of Cebu sports from the year 2025 are poised to take the spotlight at the eagerly awaited 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery Cebu Sports Awards. This grand event is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Ayala Center Cebu, commencing at 3 p.m. Known as the "Oscar's of Cebu sports," the ceremony will feature Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio as the guest of honor and keynote speaker, alongside other notable dignitaries such as Philippine Sports Commissioner Ed Hayco and Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño.
Major Awardees and Contenders for Top Honors
A stellar lineup of athletes headlines the major awardees list, including basketball icon June Mar Fajardo, two-time Olympic weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando, world boxing champion Melvin "El Gringo" Jerusalem, and three-time world billiards queen Rubilen Amit. They are joined by pro skateboarder Margielyn Didal and marathoner Artjoy Torregosa, among others. Additional honorees span a wide range of sports, such as the University of the Visayas Green Lancers in basketball, Cherry Ann Rondina in beach volleyball, and various teams and individuals in disciplines like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, chess, dancesport, and esports.
Further notable recipients include Jeremy Laurence Nopre in karatedo, Jana Lavador in kickboxing, Christwil Villanueva in motorcycle racing, and Miranda Renner in swimming, to name a few. All these athletes are contenders for the highly coveted "Athlete of the Year" award, which will be unveiled during the concluding segment of the three-hour ceremony.
Special Recognitions and Posthumous Tributes
Beyond the athletic accolades, the event will bestow special honors on key figures in the sports community. Lorenzo "Chao" Sy, a prominent basketball patron and boxing promoter, will receive the Rico Navarro Trophy as "Sportsman of the Year." Atty. Augusto "Gus" Go, the mastermind behind the University of Cebu's successful athletic program, has been named the Presidential Awardee for this milestone occasion.
The Orlacsan Award will be presented to veteran cager JR Quiñahan, collegiate basketball player Elmar Tuburan, and taekwondo athlete Christian Jay Abarquez for their heroic efforts during typhoon Tino, which struck Cebu in November of the previous year. In a touching tribute, a Posthumous Award will honor four influential individuals who shaped Cebu's sporting landscape: the late basketball icons Eduardo "Eddiegul" Gullas, Agripino "Jun" Noel, and Julian Macoy, along with decorated tennis coach Fritz Tabura.
Coaching and Team Achievements Acknowledged
Several school teams will be recognized for their multiple championship victories in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc., including the Don Bosco Technical College Greywolves in football and the University of Cebu Webmasters, University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars, and University of San Carlos Lady Warriors in volleyball. On the coaching front, individuals such as Arvin Loberanis in athletics, Rommel Rasmo in basketball, and Roland Remolino in triathlon will be honored for their pivotal roles in nurturing future champion athletes.
This comprehensive celebration underscores the vibrant and diverse sports culture in Cebu, highlighting both individual brilliance and collective achievements across various disciplines.
