CEBU SPORTS AWARDS: 9-time PBA MVP Fajardo, Olympian weightlifter Ando lead major awardees

Sports

ELITE Cebuano athletes will be recognized for their astounding achievements in their respective sports in the 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Beer (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

A total of 43 athletes and five teams across 26 sporting disciplines are set to receive major awards in the milestone event.

Some of the biggest names that will be honored are nine-time PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo, World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem, pro skateboarder Margielyn Didal, three-time billiards world champion Rubilen Amit, and 2024 Olympian and 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games weighlifting gold medalists Elreen Ando.

Set to share the limelight are Artjoy Torregosa (athletics), University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, and Jonathan Moses "Titing" Manalili (basketball), Cherry Ann Rondina (beach volleyball), Jay Bryan Baticuatro and Mark Ashley Fajardo (boxing), Eliche Zoe Malilay and Elise Xoe Malilay (Brazilian jiu-jitsu), Jerish John Velarde and Rico Mascariñas (chess), Eleanor Hayco and Lloyd Bartolini (dancesport), Franklin Ferdie Yee (duathlon), Sibil Women's E-sports Team, Melvin Mendoza Angelica Bengtsson (floorball), Mallie Ramirez and Cebu Football Club Gentle Giants (football), Jeremy Laurence Nopre, Alexis Nicole Villacarlos, Felix Calipusan Jr. and Kelly Alexandrei Trocio (karatedo), Jana Lavador (kickboxing), Christwil Villanueva (motorcycle racing), Fritz Gerald Carsola and Jean Marie Sucalit (sepak takraw), Jerome Bacarisas, Jasper Cabrera, and Ann Antolihao (softball), Miranda Renner (swimming), University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, Richard Gonzales and, Eljay Dan Tormis (table tennis), Aeden Roffer Poloyapoy Cereno, Clarissa Louise Gallego, and Jose Martin Omayan (taekwondo), Arthur Craig "Iggy" Patino (tennis), Andrew Kim Remolino, Raven Faith Alcoseba, and Matthew Justine Hermosa (triathlon), Jeff Leonard Hortelano (ultimate flying disc), and Raph Trinidad (wakeboarding).

As major awardees, the group of athletes are candidates for the coveted "Athlete of the Year", which will be announced during the awarding ceremony.

Special citations will also be handed out to different athletes and sports personalities for making their fellow Cebuanos proud in their respective fields. (CCM)