Filipino bets EJ Obiena (pole vault) and Carlos Yulo (gymnastics). AFP FILE PHOTOS
The sporting ties that bind Carlos Yulo, EJ Obiena and the Philippine national women’s football team are tethered tightly in history.
The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) will make sure those ties are never forgotten.
The country’s biggest and brightest sports organization will shine a brighter spotlight on the trio, honoring them and 12 others during next month’s San Miguel Corporation-PSA Awards Night at Diamond Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.
Yulo clinched a silver and bronze in the men’s vault and parallel bars during the 51st FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Liverpool England, while Obiena vaulted to a new Asian-high mark of 5.94 meters on his way to bagging a historic bronze in the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.
The Filipinas, meanwhile, punched a first ever ticket to the International Federation of Association Football Women’s World Cup following their third place finish in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup under coach Alen Stajcic.
The 12 other major awardees include: boxer Carlo Paalam, jiu-jitsu bets Meggie Ochoa and Kimberly Anne Custodio, karateka Junna Tsukii, pool players Rubilen Amit, Carlo Biado, and Johann Chua, weightlifter Vanessa Sarno, the volleyball duo of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Sisi Rondina, esports organization Blacklist International, jockey Jessie Guca, and champion horse Boss Emong.
The major awardees will share the limelight with Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, who will take center stage as the PSA Athlete of the Year.
The weightlifting queen and Olympic gold medalist will be honored for the second straight year after winning the gold in the world championships.
Yulo, 22 also won three gold medals in the 9th Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Doha, Qatar, following his first place finishes in the vault, parallel bars, and floor exercise, while adding a silver in the all-around.