Cebu's Sporting Elite Gather for Prestigious 40th SAC-SMB Awards Ceremony
The most outstanding and luminous stars of Cebu sports from the year 2025 took center stage at the highly anticipated 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards. This grand event unfolded on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center, marking a historic celebration of athletic excellence and community spirit.
A Ceremony of Distinction and Honor
The special ceremony commenced at 3:00 PM, featuring Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio as the distinguished guest of honor and keynote speaker. The event was graced by the presence of Philippine Sports Commissioner Ed Hayco, Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) Chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño, SMB Communications Manager Girlie Garces, and SAC officials led by John Owen Pages, all gathered to witness this significant occasion.
Major Awardees: A Constellation of Champions
The roster of major awardees was headlined by some of the Philippines' most celebrated athletes. Basketball icon June Mar Fajardo, two-time Olympic weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando, world boxing champion Melvin "El Gringo" Jerusalem, and three-time world billiards champion Rubilen Amit were among the luminaries recognized. They were joined by professional skateboarder Margielyn Didal and marathon runner Artjoy Torregosa, showcasing the diverse talent pool from Cebu.
These top athletes were accompanied by a host of other honorees, including teams and individuals from various sports disciplines. Notable mentions include the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles in basketball, alongside standout performers like Cherry Ann Rondina in beach volleyball, Jay Bryan Baticuatro and Mark Ashley Fajardo in boxing, and the Malilay sisters, Eliche Zoe and Elise Xoe, in jiu-jitsu.
Further enriching the list were achievers in chess, dancesport, duathlon, esports, floorball, football, karatedo, kickboxing, motorcycle racing, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, ultimate flying disc, and wakeboarding. All these exceptional individuals were candidates for the coveted "Athlete of the Year" award, the announcement of which capped off the three-hour program.
Special Honors and Community Tributes
Beyond the athletic accolades, the awards ceremony also paid tribute to key figures who have shaped Cebu's sports landscape. Basketball patron and boxing promoter Lorenzo "Chao" Sy received the Rico Navarro Trophy as "Sportsman of the Year." Meanwhile, Atty. Augusto "Gus" Go, the mastermind behind the successful athletics program at the University of Cebu (UC), was honored as the Presidential Awardee for this historic SAC event.
The Orlacsan Award was presented to veteran basketball player JR Quiñahan, collegiate basketball player Elmar Tuburan, and taekwondo jin Christian Jay Abarquez in recognition of their heroic efforts during Typhoon Tino, which struck Cebu in November of the previous year.
In a poignant moment, four esteemed personalities who contributed significantly to Cebu sports were posthumously awarded. These included the late Eduardo "Eddiegul" Gullas, Agripino "Jun" Noel, and Julian Macoy in basketball, along with Fritz Tabura in tennis.
Citations for Coaches and Teams
Special citations were extended to numerous other athletes across disciplines such as athletics, basketball, boxing, chess, dancesport, football, karatedo, shooting, skateboarding, weightlifting, scrabble, and tennis. Additionally, teams like the Don Bosco Technical College Greywolves in football, and the University of Cebu Webmasters, University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars, and University of San Carlos Lady Warriors in volleyball were honored for their achievements.
The event also recognized the vital role of coaches, with awards presented to mentors in athletics, basketball, football, triathlon, karatedo, and weightlifting, including Arvin Loberanis, Rommel Rasmo, Gary Cortes, Joph Cleopas, Oliver Colina, Glenn Ramos, Roland Remolino, Rhodee Ann Saavedra, Ramon Solis, and Christopher Bureros.
This comprehensive celebration not only highlighted the athletic prowess of Cebu's finest but also underscored the community's dedication to fostering sports excellence and resilience, making the 40th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards a memorable milestone in the region's sporting history.
