2 Olympians, 8-time PBA MVP are major awardees in SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards

Sports

MAJOR awards will be given to two Olympians and a future basketball legend when the 39th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Beer (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards fires off on April 26, 2025 at the SM Seaside City Cebu.

June Mar Fajardo, the University of Cebu (UC) alum who was recently named as one of the 50 greatest playersof the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), won his record eighth Most Valuable Player last year, adding two Best Player of the Conference awards for the All Filipino Cup and Governors’ Cup, upping his tally to 11.

Also last year, the gentle giant from Pinamungajan, Cebu also made his seventh Defensive Team and ninth Mythical First team selection.

Meanwhile, Elreen Ando and John Februar Ceniza, who are also from UC, lead the major awardees for weightlifting after competing in the Paris Olympics.

Ando, who made her Olympic debut in Tokyo, was sixth overall in the 59-kilogram division in Paris, while Ceniza competed in the 61-kilo division.

Other weightlifters who will receive major awards are Eron Borres, Althea Bacaro, Fernando Agad, Ramon Solis and Christopher Burerors.

Meanwhile, billiard stars Rubilen Amit and Anton Raga will also receive major awards along with world champion Melvin Jerusalem and chess player Apple Rubin.

The other major awardees for Cebu's biggest annual sports awards are Shagne Yaoyao and Jonel Carceuva (Cycling), Smart Omega Empress Esports All-Female Team (Esports), Grace Quintanilla (golf), Allen Aldrin Castaneda (gymnastics), Ellise Xoe Malilay, Eliecha Zoe Malilay (Brazilian jiu-jitsu), Kiyomi Watanabe (judo), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Alex Nino Silverio (triathlon), Sisi Rondina and Thea Gagate (volleyball), and Janah Jade Ochea Lavador (vovinam).

The major awardees are automatic candidates for the Athlete of the Year, which will be announced during the Awards Night.(CCM/Pooled Report)