One of the staunchest supporters of Philippine sports through the years, the MVP Group of Companies will take center stage at the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on January 27 at the historic Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.
The MVP Group will receive a special award during the formal proceedings, recognizing its unwavering support for Filipino athletes.
This dedication was most prominently demonstrated during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Philippines made history by winning two gold medals, including one from gymnast Carlos Yulo.
Under the leadership of businessman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, the corporation played a pivotal role in supporting the training and participation of the majority of the Filipino contingent in Paris, including Yulo and medal-winning boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
In addition to the MVP Group, the 100-year-old National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will also be honored with a special award.
The recognition will be conferred by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, the country’s oldest media organization, under the presidency of Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star in the awards night that is co-presented by ArenaPlus, Cignal, and MediaQuest.
Another special recognition will go to Pilipinas Live, a top sports streaming platform by Cignal.
It will be cited for its innovative approach to providing live and on-demand Filipino sports content, offering fans both in the Philippines and abroad a modern and engaging viewing experience.
With these additions, the total number of individuals and organizations set to receive special citations during the awards ceremony rises to 19.
Through the MVP Sports Foundation, the MVP Group has consistently supported various athletes and National Sports Associations (NSAs), contributing to the development of sports like basketball, boxing, gymnastics, badminton, taekwondo, esports, rugby, and more.
However, the MVP Group’s contributions extend beyond financial support. It also offers unparalleled live coverage, as demonstrated during the Paris Olympics.
(C) Pam Puri/Smart Sports
Through its platforms such as Cignal TV, with PLDT and Smart as official broadcast partners and MPIC and Meralco as official sponsors, the group provided comprehensive access to the historic event.
In addition to the MVP Group, Pilipinas Live, and the NCAA, other recipients of special citations include the Philippine dragon boat team, the Philippine Volcanoes rugby team, the Creamline Cool Smashers, weightlifters Angeline Colonia and Lovely Inan, jiu-jitsu athlete Isabella Joseline Butler, powerlifters Reggie Ramirez and Jessa Mae Tabuan, pool players Johann Chua and Albert James “AJ” Manas, gymnast Carl Eldrew Yulo, chess prodigy Ruelle Canino, table tennis standout Kheith Rhynne Cruz, bowler Marc Dylan Custodio, cyclist Mark John Galedo, the Philippine national baseball team, Centennial 7, and Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
The SMC-PSA Awards Night will celebrate these individuals and organizations, showcasing their significant contributions to Philippine sports.
