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Star Magic All-Star Games 2023—Intense

by Anna Pingol /

05.25.23
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Photos: Melo Balingit and Anna Pingol

Both the Star Magic Dream Team and the It's Showtime Team players showed powerhouse hard-court performances that are comparable to pro players. It was an intense close match that truly delighted the audience. But in the end, it was the It's Showtime team that went home with the trophy and their hard-court pride, Ion Perez, emerged as the MVP.

Intense and exciting. That's how the last Star Magic All-Star Games 2023 can be best described. For though it was meant to be a breaker from shoots and tapings, the star players' competitive spirits were in great display that day as each played with much gusto and passion.

The game festivities started at past one in the afternoon of Sunday, May 21, at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. It began with the parade of stars, followed by the singing of the national anthem, and the recital of the oath of sportsmanship. Reiley Santiago, ABS-CBN Business Unit Head, formally opened the festivities.

The badminton tournament commenced promptly thereafter, followed by the women's volleyball, rookie basketball match, and the much-awaited all-star basketball match between the Star magic Dream Team (composed of Daniel Padilla, Gerald Anderson, Donny Pangilinan, Ronnie Alonte, Zanjoe Marudo, Jeremiah Lisbo, Argel Saycon, Lance Carr, Miko Raval, Jimboy Martin, JV Kapunan, Gerard Acao, and Joseph Marco) and the It's Showtime Team ( Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Ion Perez, Teddy Corpuz, JC de Vera, Eric Tai, Nyoy Volante, Zeus Collins, Jin Macapagal, Kid Yambao, Johannes Risler, Polo Laurel, and JC de Vera).

In the badminton matches, the Darren Espanto and AC Bonifacio tandem emerged as the first runner-up in the Beginner's Level, with the Aiyana Perlas and Kerwin King tandem following at second. The JM Yosures-Karen Bordador tandem emerged as champion.

In the Standard Intermediate Level, Tandem Zach Guerrero and Seham Daghlas went home as second runners up, with Tandem Luke Alford and Gab Birkin as the first runners up. The Ashley Colet and Maxine Trinidad tandem was hailed champion.

Neil Coleta and Chico Alicaya are the champs in the Competitive Level; with Poppert Bernadas-PJ Endrinal tandem as first runner and Team Gello Marquez and Marlo Mortel as second.

The high-octane volleyball match between the Star Magic Lady Spikers— Loisa Andalio, Analain Salvador, Vivoree Esclito, Anji Salvacion, Gillian Vicencio, Angela Ken, Ashley Colet, Carmella Ford, Mutya Orquia, Aya Fernandez, VJ Ai dela Cruz, PJ Endrinal, Erin Navarro, Jhai Ho, PVL volleyball players Aby Maraño and Rachel Ann Daquis—and the Star Magic Lady Setters—BINI Milkha, Janah Zaplan, Brenda Mage, Thamara Alexandria, Abi Kassem, Isabel Laohoo, Arabella del Rosario, Krystl Ball, Seham Daghlas, Sela Guia, Khyza Villalino, Rica Kriemhild, Moira Lacambra, and Mela Habijan, PVL spikers Myla Pablo and Gretchel Soltones produced champs out of the Star Magic Lady Spikers.

BINI Mikha was awarded Best Setter, Gillian Vicencio as Best Receiver, and Analain Salvador as Best Hitter. Analain was also hailed this year's Women's Volleyball MVP.

Meanwhile, in the rookie basketball match between Star Magic Mixed Rookies—composed of Seth Fedelin, Ashton Salvador, Luke Alford, Kice, Tan Rocal, Isaiah Dela Cruz, Neil Coleta, River Joseph, Karl Gabriel, Jimmy Nocon, Tom Doromal, Marco Santiago, Lance Lucido, Joaquin Santos, and JB Agustin—and Star Hunt Mixed Rookies—composed of BGYO's Akira, JL, and Mikki, Kobie Brown, Rob Blackburn, Yamyam Gucong, Elyson de Dios, Russu Laurente, Crismar Menchavez, Dustine Mayores, Kyron Aguilera, Dan Delgado, Tristan Ramirez, and Batit Espiritu—the Star Magic Mixed Rookies won with a score of 69 versus Star Hunt's 58.

The Mythical 5 awardees are as follows: Tristan Ramirez (Star Hunt Team), Elyson De Dios (Star Hunt Team), River Joseph (Star Magic Team), Tan Roncal (Star Hunt Team), and Ashton Salvador (Star Magic Team), who was also hailed as this year's rookie basketball MVP. Luke Alford, for his part, was awarded the Rookie of the Year title.

TNT champions Reiven Umali, Janine Berdin, Lyka Estrella, and JM Yosures were the Halftime performers along with Maxine Trinidad, Kei Kurusawa, Andi Abaya and the NCAA cheering champions.

As the games progress into the night, the MOA Arena kept getting filled with excited fans who reserved their shrieking powers of the all-star highlight game.

From time to time, MOA would shake with thunderous screaming with the arrivals of A-listers Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Joshua Garcia, and Vice Ganda.

At past eight in the evening, the highly anticipated match between the Daniel Padilla-led team and the Ion Perez-led It's Showtime time commenced with world-class performances from BINI, Gela Atayde, Maymay Entrata, and AC Bonifacio served in the halftime.

Star players of both teams showed powerhouse hard-court performances that are comparable to pro players. It was an intense close match that truly delighted the audience. But in the end, it was the It's Showtime team that went home with the trophy and their hard-court pride, Ion Perez, emerged as the MVP.