Forty-three athletes and five teams across 26 sporting disciplines – the cream of the crop in Cebu sports – will be recognized for their achievements in their respective fields in the 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu - SMB Cebu Sports Awards on March 8, 2026.
Some of the famous names who will be honored are nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player 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 weightlifting gold medalist Elreen Ando.
They will be joined at the center stage by the following:
- Artjoy Torregosa (athletics)
- University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers
- Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles
- 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 FC 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 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)
- Raph Trinidad (wakeboarding)
They are all candidates for the coveted "Athlete of the Year" award, which will be announced during the awarding ceremony.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Meanwhile, several individuals and groups are also set to receive special recognition for their contribution to local sports in various capacities:
- Mark Mahinay (athletics)
- Nickson Andwele Cabañero (basketball)
- Arlando Senoc, Rodex Piala, Christian Araneta, and Christian Balunan (boxing)
- Toledo- Xignex Trojans (chess)
- Marlon Aliño and Lucy Hamilton (dancesport)
- Kamil Jaser Amirul and Ronito Mendoza (football)
- Aaron Rey Cañete (basketball)
- Allison Kyle Quiroga (karatedo)
- Juancho Miguel Masecampo (shooting)
- Motic Panogalinog (skateboarding)
- John Dexter Tabique and Fernando Agad (weightlifting)
- Lord Garnett Talisic (scrabble)
- Everett Pete Niere, Claudwin Seven Toñacao, and Juvels Velos (tennis)
The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles and the University of the Visayas Green Lancers (basketball); Don Bosco Technical College Greywolves (football); and the University of Cebu Webmasters, University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars, and University of San Carlos Lady Warriors (volleyball) will be feted for winning multiple championships in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).
On the coaching side, Arvin Loberanis (athletics); Rommel Rasmo, Gary Cortes, and Joph Cleopas (basketball); Oliver Colina and Glenn Ramos (football); Roland Remolino (triathlon); Rhodee Ann Saavedra (karatedo); and Ramon Solis and Christopher Bureros (weightlifting) will be honored for their tireless efforts in molding new generations of champion athletes.
Time and time again, the sports awards highlight Cebu’s enduring role in shaping champions and mentors whose achievements have carried the province’s pride onto national and international platforms.
