In a welcome development, the NCAA men's volleyball athletes will be included in the Season 98 All-Star event, which in the past had only featured the women's division alongside men's basketball.
This season's offering will put the spotlight on the league's current and former stars. Among the must-see clashes will be between Season and Finals MVP Louie Ramirez of Perpetual and high-flying Barbie San Andres of Mapua, who will be bannering Team Saints and Team Heroes, respectively.
San Andres, who was hailed one of the two Best Outside Spikers, said that while he's happy to be part of the All-Star festivities, he's also excited to once again go up against Ramirez.
"Excited na masaya kasi first time na magkakaro'n ng NCAA All-Star sa men's tsaka maganda 'to para sa entertainment sa mga fans at sa mga supporters ng NCAA volleyball," San Andres told GMA Integrated News on Friday.
"Si Kuya Louie ['yung excited akong makalaban] kasi syempre siya 'yung MVP tsaka grabe talaga siya maglaro kaya excited ako na makalaban ulit siya."
("I'm excited and happy because it's the first time that there will be an NCAA All Star for men's volleyball and I think this is good entertainment for the fans and supporters of NCAA volleyball... Kuya Louie because of course he's the MVP and he's play really well so I'm excited to face him again.")
Kenneth Daynata of JRU, on the other hand, is looking forward to teaming up with San Andres, whom he played alongside during their high school days.
"Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi hindi ko rin ineexpect [na makasama] and sobrang overwhelming lang talaga kasi feel ko marami 'yung mas deserving kaysa sa'kin," Daynta said.
"Excited akong makalaban 'yung Team Saints kasi mas powerful sila kasi. Excited akong maging kakampi ulit si San Andres kasi since high school magkakampi na kami."
("It made me so happy because I didn't expect to be selected and it's overwhelming because I feel like there are a lot of other players more deserving than me... I'm excited to face Team Saints because they're more powerful. I'm also excited to be teammates again with San Andres since we were teammates in high school.")
The All-Star event is slated on Sunday with Team Heroes set to be led by Joshua Ramilo, Kim Tan, San Andres, and Daynata with Jayvee Sumagaysay, Anjo Pertierra, and GMA Kapuso artist Bruce Roeland also joining in the action.
Team Saints, on the other hand, will have Ramirez, Kyle Villamor, Vince Himzon, Rey Taneo, Jerome Lopez, John Vic De Guzman, and GMA talents Carlo San Juan and Prince Clemente.
Catch the game this Sunday, April 23, 2023, 12:00 p.m., live on GTV and via livestream at the NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH pages.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
