Players from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and celebrities from GMA Network on Saturday held practice sessions for the All-Star Game.
After practicing at the Mapua University gym ahead of the Sunday talent showcase, NCAA Season 97 Most Improved Player Paolo Hernandez of Mapua University said he enjoyed the training with players from other schools and with Kapuso stars.
"Magandang experience para sa akin, sa amin. Nagkasama-sama from different schools, along with Kapuso stars. Na-enjoy namin 'yung moment na 'to and sana bukas mas ma-enjoy namin and manalo," Hernandez said.
("It's a good experience for me, for us. We spent time with players from different schools along with Kapuso stars. We enjoyed this moment and we hope we can also enjoy tomorrow and win.")
Meanwhile, Arellano University's Kai Oliva said he is happy to see the passion for sports of Kapuso athletes.
"Nakikita namin 'yung hilig nila sa sports. It's good to see na kahit naga-artista sila, hilig pa rin nila maglaro."
("We saw their interest in sports. It's good to see that even though they are actors, they still want to play.")
Kapuso celebrities Paul Salas and Gil Cuerva of Team Saints shared they were challenged by the warm-ups and drills during the practice.
"Good workout siya, nakakapagod talaga [It's a good workout, it's really tiring]," said Cuerva.
"But ang daming lesson, ang daming natutunan [But there's so many lessons we learned]," Salas added.
Team Heroes' Mavy Legaspi, meanwhile, said he was reminded of his days as a member of his high school varsity team.
"Nung una pa lang, may plays na, tapos nung cinall out 'yung ibang plays, medyo familiar," Legaspi shared. "This experience is gonna be so great and I can't wait for tomorrow's All-Star Game."
("From the beginning, there are already plays, then when the other plays were called out, they were a bit familiar to me.")
The All-Star Game will pit Team Saints against Team Heroes in a mix of players from the NCAA and GMA celebrities.
Team Saints is composed of Letran's Rhenz Abando and Brent Paraiso, San Beda's Ralph Penuela and Yukien Andrada, Perpetual Help's Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon, Saint Benilde's Will Gozum and Prince Carlos, and San Sebastian's Ichie Altamirano and Ammar Cosari. Joining them are Kapuso stars Rocco Nacino, Paul Salas, Gil Cuerva, Pancho Magno, Jose Sarasola, and Kirst Viray.
Meanwhile, Team Heroes is composed of Arellano's Kai Oliva and Gelo Sablan, EAC's Allen Liwag and Ralph Robin, Lyceum's Mac Guadaña and Enoch Valdez, JRU's JL delos Santos and Marwin Dionisio, and Mapua's Warren Bonifacio and Paolo Hernandez. Kapuso stars Jason Abalos, Mavy Legaspi, David Licauco, Mark Herras, Ervic Vijandre, and Luis Hontiveros will join the squad.
Watch the All-Star Game on Sunday, 3 pm., live on GTV, and via livestream at NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports' official social media channels.
—MGP, GMA News
