The games saw some of the hottest Kapuso celebrities and NCAA varsity players setting the volleyball court ablaze with their sheer athletic spirit and skill.
Yesterday, the 23rd of April, the entire FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City was enlivened with energy from both athletes and their fans. Kapuso stars and NCAA idols brought their A-game during the two matches held for the GMA/NCAA “All-Star” Volleyball Games. The games aired live on GTV, at 12 high noon.
Divided into men’s and women’s categories, the matches between Team Saints and Team Heroes are fun, but also full of surprises. During the women’s match, Rey Taneo from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPSHD), asked for Arellano University’s Regine Arocha’s hand. She said “YES” to everyone watching Taneo’s sweet proposal’s delight.
Intense and adrenaline-driven matches took place between the teams, but one can see how much the players enjoyed the games. In the men’s division, Taneo’s team, Saints, defeated Heroes, loosely 27-25. Aside from Taneo and school mate, Louie Ramirez, the winning team, Saints, is also composed of Richard Nino Tolentino and Kyle Angelo Villamor from the San Sebastian College – Recoletos; Vince Himzon and Erickson James Ramos from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran; Melver Lapurga and Jerome Lopez from the San Beda University; John Vic de Guzman and George Guani from the De La Salle – College of St. Benilde; and NCAA courtside reporter, Miguel Venegas. Completing the team are Sparkle Heartthrobs, Carlo San Juan, and Prince Clemente. UPSHD head coach, Sammy Acaylar, guided the team to winning the men’s title, which they did.
Unable to win the men’s title, but still proud for pulling a great game, Team Heroes banked on the all-star ensemble of Joshua Ramiro and Juvie Mangarin from Emilio Aguinaldo College, Kenneth Daynata and Larry Sioco Jr from the Jose Rizal University; Siegfried Corral and Deon Xander Colorado from the Lyceum of the Philippines University; Anjo Pertierra and John Benedict San Andres from the Mapua University; Kim Vincent Tan and Christian Joshua Segovia from the Arellano University; and NCAA Volleyball analyst, Jayvee Sumagaysay. Sparkle stars, Kristoffer Martin and Bruce Roeland completed the team for added star power. Arellano University’s Timoti Manalansan was their coach.
Newly-engaged Regine Arocha from Arellano University is among the players who helped drive the Team Saints to win the women’s title. With her, are star players from various NCAA institutions, including Alyssa Eroa and Kristine Joy Dionisio from San Sebastian Recoletos; Mary Rhose Dapol and Angelique Dionela from the UPSHD; Cha Cuñada and Entezar Bangcola from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran; Zamantha Nolasco and Janine Navarro from the De La Salle – College of St. Benilde; Aurea Francesca Racraquin and Chynna Castillo from San Beda University; and NCAA courtside reporter, Chaze Orozco. Sparke beauties, Shaira Diaz and Lyra Micolob owned their moments on the court as part of the winning team.
Not to be missed are the impressive roster of players that comprise Team Heroes, including Jen Omapas and Yvone Reyes from Emilio Aguinaldo College; Sydney Niegos and Shola Alvarez from Jose Rizal University; Ciarnelle Wanta and Zonxi Dahab from the Lyceum of the Philippines University; Jonina Mae Fernandez and Alyanna Nicole Ong from Mapua University; Trina Maurice Abay from the Arellano University; and NCAA courts reporter Kara Acevedo-Ong. Completing the team are Sparkle stars, Angela Alarcon and Cassy Legaspi. The team was guided by LPU head coach, Cromwell Garcia.
Giving the much-needed energetic vibe and dose of entertainment during the break between the men’s and women’s matches was Mikee Quintos’s fiery production number, featuring Dua Lipa’s No Rules. PPOP belter, XOXO, also treated the audience to an explosive number at the beginning of the men’s game.
Ultimately, Shaira Diaz and Carlo San Juan emerged as celebrity MVPs of the games. Johnvic de Guzman and Cha Cuada were declared MVPs of their respective divisions.
