In iWant’s newest original series, Love at First Spike, the game of volleyball becomes more than just a sport—it becomes a space for identity, healing, and acceptance.
Anchored by a cast of first-time and emerging actors, the eight-episode coming-of-age dramedy leans into LGBTQIA+ narratives and the resilience of queer youth navigating high school life.
Fresh off Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition, Emilio Daez takes on his first major acting role as Uno Antalyan, a basketball varsity captain who loses his team slot after a violent incident. To keep his scholarship, he’s forced to join his school’s boys’ volleyball team, which is composed of openly queer players.
“Uno’s journey here will be an eye-opening experience for everyone. He acts like a bridge between the community and the heterosexual world. From being closed off, you’ll see him slowly open up and learn about acceptance,” said Emilio.
For him, stepping into Uno’s character meant embracing vulnerability and “a very enlightening experience.”
“I fell in love with the character of Uno because, you know, he starts as this very closed-off guy, and then slowly but surely, he starts to open up because he’s a little bit of an outsider,” Emilio told Manila Standard Entertainment.
“He doesn’t have a lot of friends, and he just keeps to himself. But, you know, in life, we all know that we need friends. So, little by little, you’ll see his journey unfold,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sean Tristan plays Jared Aragon, Uno’s former childhood best friend and the team captain of the boys’ volleyball team.
“Jared is out and proud. We wanted to show what it’s like for someone confident in who they are and how that affects their relationships, especially with people from their past who may not have accepted them right away,” Sean shared.
During the press conference, Sean also described their working relationship on set as one built on trust.
“Emilio and I are friends, and we gave each other space to feel vulnerable during scenes,” he said. “He’d always ask, ‘Okay lang ba ito?’ That helped us dig deep,” he continued.
The show introduces a spectrum of queer experiences, including the story of Diamond Hernandez, a trans woman libero played by Lance Reblando.
“She’s navigating her gender identity in high school. I hope I get to do justice to her story. Diamond deserves to be seen, and so do people like her,” Lance explained.
Reign Parani, who plays Farrah Saucero, the girls’ volleyball captain and Jared’s cousin, said the show encouraged her to reflect more deeply on being a true ally.
“There’s more to being an ally than learning what people want to be called or the definition of being an ally. We just want to be loved, and we just want to love,” Reign said.
“Love is for all. Mabuhay ang mga bakla! This series speaks truth, and with acceptance, trust, and authenticity, we hope it opens hearts and minds,” she added.
The series is directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, who revealed that volleyball had long been personal to him as a queer person.
“When I was growing up, volleyball was a refuge. It was where kids like me went when we felt alienated,” the director shared.
With real-life volleyball training, emotional storytelling, and queer representation at the forefront, Love at First Spike aims to deliver a teen drama that brings visibility and heart.
Love at First Spike is now streaming on iWant, with new episodes every week.
