On its seventh year, Star Magic artists and personnel have once again devoted a day in their busy schedules to get on the courts and don their sports hats.
For the second year in a row, the Star Magic Games carried the title Sun vs. Stars title in lieu of its retained partnership with Sun Life Financial Financial.
The friendly star-studded sporting event held at the Celebrity Sports Plaza on May 22 once again paved the way for the stars to showcase their sporty sides.
Love teams were also seen at the venue like Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga, Ylona Garcia and Bailey May, Loisa Andalio and Joshua Garcia, Alexa Ilacad and Nash Aguas, Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona, among others.
Teen stars Jane Oineza, Sofia Andres, Marco Gumabao, Maris Racal, Marlo Mortel, Inigo Pascual, Julia Barreto, Andrea Brillantes, Darren Espanto, Xyriel Manabat and Zaijian Jaranilla were also in attendance, as well as members of Gimme 5 and It’s Showtime’s Hashtags and GirlTrends.
This year the four teams were named after superheroes. There was the Black Widow team led by Daniel, Blue Captain America team led by Hashtags member Ronnie Alonte, Yellow Wolverine team led by comedian Eric Nicolas, Green Hulk team led by Jairus Aquino and Star Magic’s Red Iron Man Dream Team led by Xian Lim.
The day started with the parade of the participating teams with their respective muses. Black Widow team had rising stars Heaven Peralejo and Ysabel Ortega while the Blue Captain America team had Chienna Filomeno and Alexa Ilacad. Meanwhile, the Green Hulk team had Andrea Brillantes and Loisa Andalio. While the Yellow Wolverine team had GirlTrends member Kelley Day, Red Iron Man Team had GirlTrends member Mica Rivera. The Sun Life Financial team, meanwhile, was led by Maja Salvador.
The program began with Angeline Quinto leading the singing of the national anthem, which was immediately followed by Xian’s opening prayer. Sun Life Financial ambassador Piolo Pascual gave the opening remarks after which Gerald Anderson initiated the Oath of Sportsmanship. The actual event began after the Teen King Daniel Padilla lighted the torch. Robi Domingo, Erika Abello and Eric Nicolas hosted this year’s sports event. Kitkat ,Tippy Dos Santos and Drei Felix also served as side hosts that day.
Sun Life Financial participants dominated the swimming relay but Zonia Mejia and Erika Abello placed second while newbie Kira Balinger and Enchong Dee were among the runners up.
Under the volleyball category, the Yellow Wolverine team won against the Black Widow team. While the Blue Captain America team beat the Green Hulk team. Budding star Ashley Colet bagged volleyball’s Most Valuable Player and Mythical six award, while Gretchen Ho, Marco Gumabao, Joseph Marco, Jed Montero and Julia Barretto are the Mythical six awardees.
Star Magic kids and teens participated in the fun games which also revolved around the superhero concept. Among them were Boost Your Boosts, Shield of Justice, Saving Earth, and Slam N’ Jam.
Under the badminton sport, Green Hulk’s Heaven Peralejo and Hatima Bien won in the women’s category while Black Widow’s Neil Coleta and Inigo Pascual won in the men’s category. Neil Coleta took home the Best Male Player award. Piolo was eventually declared as the Overall Most Valuable Player in the badminton category. OPM Sweetheart Janella Salvador and Teen Queen Kathryn Bernardo played for the first time in women’s badminton.
In the teen’s basketball division, the Green Hulk team of Jairus Aquino, Bugoy Carino, and Zaijian Jaranilla beat the Blue Captain America team of Nash Aguas with the score of 36-27. The Green Hulk team of Robi Domingo and Jerome Ponce, meanwhile, continued their winning streak in the mixed adults division.
Eventually Jairus Aquino was named teen division’s Most Valuable Player while Bugoy Cariño took home the Rookie of the Year award.
The much-awaited adult basketball division game of the annual Star Magic Games saw the face off between Daniel Padilla’s Black Widow team and Hashtag Ronnie Alonte’s Blue Captain America team for the first time. Touted as the Royalty Teams, the intense game ended with the score of 70-69 in favor of Black Widow team.
Teen King Daniel eventually bagged the Most Valuable Player award for the third time. His first two MVP awards were for the junior division in 2015 and 2013, respectively.
Ronnie, who was a first-timer at the Star Magic Games, took home the Rookie of the Year Award under the exhibition game division where he also participated in. The adult division’s Rookie of the Year award, meanwhile, was bagged by Doble Kara star Anjo Damiles.
Star Magic’s Red Iron Man Dream Team lead by Xian Lim, JC De Vera, Rayver Cruz and Gerald Anderson competed with Sun Life Financial Team in the basketball exhibition game. Six points win in favor of Sun Life Financial.
The day ended with a smile as all, especially Star Magic celebrities, were able to meet old and make new friends in the annual Star Magic Games.