MANILA, Philippines—The 2023 Philippines Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night was made to honor the country’s greatest sports feats and personalities at the end of the year.
Yet, those accolades weren’t the only things highlighted that evening as these sports personalities rocked unique and colorful outfits that shone throughout the night.
Inquirer Sports takes a look at the fits and drips that swooned the Diamond Hotel off its feet for the PSA Awards Night.
Kurt Barbosa
![Kurt Barbosa PSA Awards](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/01/IMG_0967_PSA-awards-night_Kurt-Barbosa-620x775.jpg)
Tokyo Olympian and SEA Games gold medalist Kurt Barbosa at the PSA Awards. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Kurt Barbosa represented the Philippines proudly by winning a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games.
So it’s just right that the Philippine taekwondo up-and-comer did more of the representing with his outfit for the celebrated night.
Sporting a locally-made clothing from Abra called the “Abel,” Barbosa walked the red carpet with his partner in matching clothing.
“These clothes I’m wearing are locally made from Abra, which is called ‘Abel’ for us. We saw one where we were and said ‘that’s what we should pick and wear for the PSA Awards.’ This PSA Awards is such an important event, it only happens once every year,” said Barbosa.
“All the people here are medalists so my outfit needs to be good, plus it’s made in Abra… This thing I’m wearing, I’m very confident because it’s from the Philippines so I feel confident.”
But Barbosa’s bright red outfit wasn’t the only thing that wowed the evening crowd as he also rocked a pair of brown Prada shades to match his suit.
Tim Cone
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone with SBP president Al Panlilio during the PSA Awards. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Talk about a “classic man” outfit, the newest permanent coach of Gilas Pilipinas showed up in a simple yet flashy outfit.
Like usual, the humble Tim Cone downplayed his evening outfit and said it was “the only thing he had.”
“My wife picked it out for me. It’s a knock-off Armani suit, how is that?” Cone said in jest.
“It’s the only thing I got, I’m not a fashionista!” he added.
Cone wore a simple but sleek pair of trousers and suit, accompanied by a light-colored inner polo and a patterned red necktie.
Mayhaps that splash of “red” was a little homage to his mother team Ginebra.
Creamline Girls
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao and Kyle Negrito/—MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
No other group arrived at Diamond Hotel with so much aura than the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Jema Galanza and Kyle Negrito wore black dresses that were simple yet highly fashionable.
Alyssa Valdez rocked a brown ensemble with jewelry to match while Michelle Gumabao wore a lighter hue of beige to stand out to the crowd.
But Tots Carlos wore the most unique outfit out of all the Cool Smashers with a light pink suit and trousers that encapsulated her mother team Creamline.
And why wouldn’t she be a cut above the rest? She was, after all, awarded this year’s Ms. Volleyball award. Talk about “fitting the theme.”