- Alyssa Valdez and Ricci Rivero return to “Upfront” for NCAA Season 94
- From sports stars to segment hosts
They may have played in a different collegiate league but volleyball phenom Alyssa Valdez and rising basketball star Ricci Rivero are ready to turn the spotlight on the student-athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as segment hosts of sports and lifestyle program “Upfront” on ABS-CBN S+A.
The power duo are back to give Kapamilya sports fans an inside look at the lives and lifestyles of their favorite players with “Upfront” hosts Janeena Chan, Martin Javier, Angelique Manto, and Turs Daza starting this Saturday (July 7) at 1:30 pm.
Alyssa, currently the team captain of Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League, has dabbled into hosting in various ABS-CBN Sports events and programs, including “Upfront” last UAAP season. For the NCAA edition of the show, she will be elevating viewers’ fitness goals as she joins the workout sessions of popular NCAA athletes for “NCAA Fit.”
Ricci, the Most Tweeted Filipino Athlete of 2017 and one of the most exciting players in Philippine basketball today, will be demonstrating basketball moves with a current NCAA player or NCAA legend in the segment “Baller Moves.” For the pilot episode, it will be host school University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA star player AJ Coronel.
Other “Upfront” segments like “Change Court” and “Squad Goals” will also be back, while others are repackaged especially for the NCAA such as “NCAA Ask,”“NCAA Trending,” and “NCAA Jam.” For “NCAA Swag” this Saturday, San Beda Red Lions forward JV Mocon will help viewers match their favorite shoes with the right outfit.
One of “Upfront’s” main hosts, Martin, said he is excited to feature and interview NCAA players, especially as he began as a member of the NCAA broadcast panel.
“I started with the NCAA as anchor in Season 92 so I am very happy. Now we get to feature athletes from the NCAA, we get to highlight them. It is a big opportunity for the league to really expand and get exposure,” he said. Asked who he personally wishes to feature this season, he mentioned last year’s MVP CJ Perez of the LPU Pirates.
“I heard he does not get tired. I am looking forward to doing an exercise with him and see if it’s true that he does not get tired,” he explained.
“Upfront” is one of the new things to look forward to for Kapamilya sports fan this NCAA Season, which will also have a Battle of the Bands among member schools apart from the return of the “NCAA On Tour.”
Get your weekly dose of fun goals in sports and lifestyle on NCAA fans’ official game day habit “Upfront,” this NCAA Season 94 starting this Saturday (July 7) at 1:30 pm on S+A and S+A HD. The program will then shift to its regular airing every Sunday, 1:30 pm. Follow @UpfrontonSA on Twitter or @Upfront_official on Instagram for updates on the program. For ABS-CBN updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit www.abscbnpr.com.
