NCAA Most Valuable Players John Vic de Guzman and Louie Ramirez towed Team Saints in their comeback attempt against Team Heroes in the NCAA Season 98 men's All-Star Game, 25-23, 25-17, 27-25, on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
In the All-Star Game, a team needs to take two sets from the three-set affair to get the win.
Team Heroes first reached match point, 24-21, before the Saints tied the game at 24. De Guzman was crucial in the last stretch as he also made the winning point for Team Saints.
The Season 92 Most Valuable Player posted 15 points on top of six excellent digs, while Season 98 MVP Ramirez had 13 points and four excellent receptions. Kapuso celebrity Carlo San Juan had four points while Jerome Lopez had 12 excellent sets.
Kim Tan had 10 points for Team Heroes while Barbie San Andres had nine points.
Ramirez said he is happy to play with fellow athletes, celebrities, and alumni in the All-Star Game.
"Masaya po kahit papaano kasi nag-enjoy kami at masarap sa feeling na 'yung artists kasama namin at mga alumni na dream namin maka-teammate," said Ramirez.
("I'm happy because we enjoyed ourselves and it's a great feeling to play with the artists and with the alumni, whom we've dreamed of being teammates with.")
The Perpetual standout also said he was glad to play with his idol De Guzman.
"Sobrang sarap po sa feeling kasi napaka-approachable ni Kuya John Vic. Di ko po inaasahan na ganun ang magiging connection namin sa court."
("It was a great feeling because Kuya John Vic was so approachable. I didn't expect that we would have that kind of connection on the court.")
Team Saints head coach Sammy Acaylar also thanked the league for giving the athletes to show their talent.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, you have to enjoy the game, give their best and enjoy the game. Nakakataas nang morale ang ginawa ng GMA. Napakaganda ng ginawa."
("I told them, you have to enjoy the game, give their best and enjoy the game. What GMA did has really raised the morale. It's a very good thing.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
