Carlos Yulo, Alex Eala receive PSA Athlete of the Year honors

Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Carlos Yulo and tennis standout Alexandra "Alex" Eala were honored with their respective Athlete of the Year awards during the 2025 Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night held Monday at the Diamond Hotel Manila.

Yulo captured gold in the vault at the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships, where he also secured a bronze medal in the floor exercise. He earlier clinched gold in the floor exercise at the 2025 Asian Championships.

Eala, meanwhile, enjoyed a historic season last year. She reached the semifinals of the Miami Open, advanced to the finals of the Eastbourne Open, made her Grand Slam main draw debuts, and claimed her first WTA 125 title in Guadalajara.

Yulo urged fellow sports personalities at the ceremony to continue inspiring the youth.

“Sa lahat ng tao po na nandito, gusto ko po kayo pasalamatan at gusto ko sabihin na patuloy po nating galingan, patuloy po tayong magsikap, patuloy tayo matuto, at patuloy natin i-goal na maging inspirasyon sa maraming kabataang Pilipino,” Yulo said as he personally accepted his award.

Carlos Yulo on receiving his PSA Athlete of the Year Award: Patuloy tayo maging inspirasyon sa kabataan @gmanews @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/QmnbhKcgWi

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) February 16, 2026

Eala delivered a video message as she was unable to attend the event. She is currently competing in the Dubai Tennis Championships.

“I’m so honored to be named PSA Athlete of the Year alongside Carlos Yulo. Congratulations, Carlos! Isang malaking karangalang makasama ka sa parangal na ito,” Eala said.

“Being named Female Athlete of the Year is a moment in my life that I will cherish forever,” she added.

“This award means so much to me because it reflects how far tennis and my sport have come in this country, and I only hope that this is just the beginning.”

Alex Eala is also a PSA Athlete of the Year. Here is her message @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/jjD1FNRxzY

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) February 16, 2026

Aside from Yulo and Eala, here are the other major awardees:

President’s Award — Yeng Guiao (for leading the Supreme Court petition compelling Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to remit mandated funding to the Philippine Sports Commission)

Executive of the Year — Patrick Gregorio, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission

NSA of the Year — Gymnastics Association of the Philippines

Lifetime Achievement Award — Monico Puentevella; 1991 Philippine Davis Cup Team; Elorde Family; Romy Guevarra; Mila Emperado

Mr. Basketball — June Mar Fajardo
Mr. Volleyball — Bryan Bagunas
Ms. Volleyball — Bella Belen

Major Awardees — Philippine Men’s Curling Team; Chezka Centeno (Billiards); Carlo Biado (Billiards); Jonas Magpantay (Billiards); Pedro Taduran (Pro boxing); Melvin Jerusalem (Pro boxing); Miguel Tabuena (Golf); EJ Obiena (Pole vault); Annie Ramirez (Jiujitsu)

Hall of Fame — Frankie Miñoza

—GMA Integrated News