On a star-laden evening, Yeng Guiao shone the brightest.
Guiao had his moment when he received the President's Award during the Philippine Sportswriters' Association Awards on Monday, Feb. 16.
During his speech, Philippine Sportswriters Commission chairman Pato Gregorio dubbed Guiao as "savior" and asked everyone to give the current Rain or Shine coach a standing ovation.
The warm reception was well deserved, of course.
Coach Yeng, also a former lawmaker, won a decade-long legal battle which ended in a Supreme Court decision mandating the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to remit five percent of their gross income to the Philippine Sports Commission, per Republic Act 6847.
That fight, which the firebrand mentor faced by his lonesome, began in 2016 when he was still first district representative in Pampanga.
Aside from coach Yeng, another big winner from the PSA Awards were Carlos Yulo and Alex Eala, who were named co-Athletes of the Year.
Yulo was in attendance, but the 20-year-old Eala had to miss out for now as she is currently competing in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo was hailed Mr. Basketball after securing his record-extending ninth MVP in the PBA and his continued service to Gilas Pilipinas.
Bella Belen and Bryan Baguna were named Ms. and Mr. Volleyball, respectively. Their representatives accepted the award on their behalf.
Gregorio also didn’t go home empty handed as the Executive of the Year honor was bestowed upon him.
The Lifetime Achievement was also given to Monico Puentevella, Elorde Familu, Romy Guevarra, Milar Emperado, and the 1991 Philippine Davis Cup team.
For its continued effort to raise the gymnastics, the Gymnastis Association of the Philippines was named NSA of the Year.
Other major awardees were EJ Obiena (pole vault), Annie Ramirez (jiu-jitsu), the Philippine Men’s Curling team, Chezka Centeno (billiards), Carlo Biado (billiards), Jonas Magpantay (billiards), Pedro Taduran (pro boxing), Melvin Jerusalem (pro boxing), and Miguel Tabuena (golf).
Frankie Miñoza was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Also getting special awards were the Philippine Basketball Association, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, FIL-AM Golf Invitational, Mikee Romero, Alas Pilipinas Men’s team, Alas Women’s Beach Volleyball team, Philippine Women’s Football team, BPI/Globe, and Arena Plus.
Given special citation were Asian Games medalists Kram Airam Carpio (pencak silat), Charlie Ratcliff (MMA), Pi Durden Wangkay (athletics), Lyre Anie Ngina (Muay), Zeth Gabriel Bueno (Muay), Jan Briz Ramiscal and Tyron Jamborillo (muay), Isabella Butler (jiu jitsu) as well as Asian youth para medalists RJ Brucal (athletics), John Rey Diano (athletics), Ric Pasadilla (swimming), Raemund Adefuin (swimming), and Mary Hannah Brianna Diesto (swimming).
Other awardees were GM Joey Antonio (chess), Jamaica Mendoza (chess), Jennifer Tan (triathlon), Regie Ramirez (powerlifting), Darry Bernardo (chess), Cheyzer Mendonza (chess), Joshua Pacio (MMA), Rubilen Amit (billiards), Carlos Baylon (wushu), Philippine women’s hockey team, Kira Ellis (triathlon), Sean Gibbons, Obiena (athletics), Hokett Delos Santos (athletics), John Tolentino (athletics), Hussein Loraña (athletics), Naomi Cesar (athletics), Eumir Marcial (boxing), Philippine baseball taem (Gilas Pilipinas Men, Gilas Women, Bowling Men’s taem, Sibol (Esports), John Ivan Cruz (gymnastics), Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics), Jasmine Ramilio (gymnastics), Dean Roxas (jiu jitsu), Kimberly Custodio (jiu jitsu), Philippine mixed judo team, Chony Sy-Tancontian (judo), Zyra Bon-as (Kickboxing), Geli Bulaong (Mixed martial arts), Melvin Sacay (Modern pentathlon), Michael Ver Comaling (Modern pentathlon), Islay Bomogao (Muay Thai), LJ Rafael Yasay (Muay Thai), Erin Mattea Micor (Practical shooting), Rolly Nathaniel Tecson (Practical shooting), Edcel John Gino (Practical shooting), Genesis Pible (Practical shooting), Joanie Delgaco and Kristine Paraon (Rowing), Dhenver John Castillo (Sailing), Peter Groseclose (Short-track speed skating), Mazel Paris Alegado (skateboarding), Jericho Francisco Jr. (Skateboarding), Blu Boys (Softball), Blu Girls (Softball), Philippine women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (Swimming), Kayla Sanchez (Swimming), Justin Kobe Macario (Taekwondo), Taichana Mangin (Taekwondo), Alex Eala (Tennis), Kim Mangrobang, Kira Ellis and Raven Faith Alcoseba (Triathlon), Inaki Emil Lorbes, Fernando Jose Casares and Matthew Justine Hermosa (Triathlon), Kira Ellis, Fernando Jose Casares, Raven Faith Alcoseba and Andrew Kim Remolino; Elreen Ann Ando (Weightlifting), Gabriel Thomas Dinette (Wrestling), Agatha Wong (Wushu), Jones Llabres Inso (Wushu).
Also receiving the Tonny Siddayao nods were Leo Mhar Lobrido (Boxing), Royce Wayne Padua (Bowling), Jemaicah Yap Mendoza (Chess), Gian Karlo Arca (Chess), Zach Guico (Golf), Nicole Gan (Golf), Karl Eldrew Yulo (Gymnastics), Bailey Heinsohn (Jiu-jitsu), Aerra JC Mae Relano (Squash), Behrouz Mojdeh (Swimming), Sophia Garra (Swimming), Titus Sia (Swimming), Patricia Mae Santor (Swimming), Tenny Madis (Tennis), Jhodie Peralta (Weightlifting), Jay-R Colonia (Weightlifting).
For his heroism during the devastation of Typhoon Tino in Cebu, JR Quiñahan was given the Humanitarian Award.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper.
But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone. He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.