PSA Awards: Eala, Yulo hottest contenders

MANILA, Philippines — Golden boy Carlos Yulo and tennis darling Alex Eala lead the major contenders vying for the 2025 Athlete of the Year in the coming Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night.

The two young stars dazzled their way in 2025, reaching new heights in their respective fields in the most memorable moments for Philippine sports.

After a historic two-gold medal romp in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Yulo, 25, reasserted his niche as among the world’s top gymnasts today by copping the gold in vault during the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, where he also snared a bronze medal in floor exercise.

Yulo also ruled the floor exercise of the Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Jecheon, Korea, and bagged three bronze medals in the same tournament.

Eala, 20, became the first Filipina netter to reach the Top 50 in the WTA following her memorable run in the semifinals of the Miami Open in March, to winning a first ever WTA 125 title in Mexico, and capping 2025 with the country’s first tennis gold in the SEA Games after 26 years.

Their respective feats gave Philippine sports a new high, putting them in top contention for the coveted Athlete of the Year honor to be handed out by the country’s oldest media organization on Feb. 2 at the Diamond Hotel.

Also in contention are golfer Miguel Tabuena, pool player Chezka Centeno and swimmer Kayla Sanchez.

Tabuena topped the biggest golf tournament the country ever hosted – the International Series Philippines against the likes of Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed and won the top prize of $360,000.

Centeno crowned herself as the WPA Women’s 10-Ball world champion last year.