Rising talent Alex Eala and star player Diana Mae ‘Tots’ Carlos will share the spotlight at the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night, scheduled for two weeks from now.
Eala, 18, will be crowned Ms. Tennis. Meanwhile, Carlos, 25, will be hailed as Ms. Volleyball during the formal affair set for January 29 at the grand ballroom of the Diamond Hotel.
The two will be joined by June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball) and Sarina Bolden (Ms. Football) as recipients of a special award from the country’s oldest media organization, headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star, for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields in 2023.
All four personalities are part of the 130-plus awardees included in the PSA honor roll.
The highlight of the event, presented by ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the Philippines, along with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/SMART, and Cignal TV as major sponsors, is the bestowing of the prestigious Athlete of the Year Award to the world no. 2 pole vaulter, EJ Obiena.
Also backing the gala night are the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Premier Volleyball League, 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero, and Rain or Shine.
A recipient of Major Awards two years ago, Eala will be honored this time for a hectic year.
The Filipina netter established herself as an emerging force in the sport by winning two ITF Circuit titles and breaking into the Top 200 rankings in the world.
At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Eala ended a 61-year medal drought for Philippine tennis.
She won the bronze in the women’s singles event, then teamed up with Francis Casey Alcantara for a podium finish in the mixed doubles.
Carlos, on the other hand, distinguished herself as one of the best volleyball players in the country today.
She led Creamline to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) First All-Filipino Conference title opposite Petro Gazz in the absence of injured star Alyssa Valdez.
During the same tournament, the product of University of the Philippines from Lubao, Pampanga, was adjudged PVL MVP.
That marked the third time she won the league’s highest individual honor.
Before the end of 2023, Carlos also steered the Cool Smashers to the Second All-Filipino Conference championship.
There, she was named Finals MVP following a two-game sweep of Choco Mucho before a record crowd of 24,459 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
