Manila: Tennis star Alexandra Eala and gymnastics icon Carlos Edriel Yulo are set to receive the Athlete of the Year award at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night at Diamond Hotel Manila in Ermita on Feb. 16. Eala and Yulo's achievements have brought significant recognition to Philippine sports, marking a milestone for the nation.
According to Philippines News Agency, Eala made history by securing the country's first women's singles gold medal in 26 years at the Thailand Southeast Asian Games in December. This accomplishment solidified her status as a pioneering figure in Philippine tennis. Meanwhile, Yulo, who was previously named PSA Athlete of the Year following his double-gold performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, continued his impressive streak by clinching a fourth consecutive gold medal in floor exercise at the 2025 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in South Korea. In addition to his gold, he earned bronze medals in parallel bars, vault, and individual all-around events.
The annual sports gala by the Philippines' oldest media organization, held in collaboration with San Miguel Corporation, was initially scheduled for Feb. 2 but was postponed to Feb. 16 due to unavoidable circumstances. This year marks the first time in 22 years that the PSA has honored both a male and female athlete as co-Athletes of the Year, a distinction last shared by legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao and golfer Jennifer Rosales in 2004.
PSA President Francis Ochoa, sports editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, highlighted the significance of Eala and Yulo's achievements, stating, 'Their exemplary performances on the international stage and, more importantly, the way they have inspired countless young athletes to chase their own path for greatness, are enough reasons to crown both Alex and Carlos as the year's top performers in sports.'
Yulo, born and raised near the Rizal Memorial Sports Center in Manila's Malate district, made a remarkable return to the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia, where he won the vault and secured third place in floor exercise. Eala, a product of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, achieved several historic milestones in Philippine tennis, including breaking into the world's Top 50 rankings.
Ranked No. 140 and granted a wild card at the WTA 1000 Miami Open, Eala achieved significant victories over prominent players, including former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open winner Madison Keys, and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, before reaching the semifinals. Eala also became the first Filipino in the Open era to participate in the Wimbledon singles main draw, claimed her first WTA singles title at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico, and achieved a Grand Slam milestone by winning a match at the US Open in New York against No. 14 seed Clara Tauson.
