Allyzza Kay Trinidad

Team Star Magic's guest opponents through the years before GMMTV Thailand

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Battle-tested! Team Star Magic's guest opponents through the years before GMMTV Thailand

Liezel Dela Cruz

<p>On the basketball court, nothing gets us hyped like a little friendly competition among our favorite celebs. </p><p>Team Star Magic is about to take that competition to a whole new level! The squad will once again hit the hardcourt at the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026, this time against a team of actors from Thailand’s GMMTV in their first-ever SEAbling showdown, happening this Sunday, August 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena and with a livestream available for fans watching from home. </p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17871554451901787155441958.png" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>The pressure may feel more intense, but the Star Magic ballers are no rookies. Through the years, they’ve gone head-to-head with tough opponents. Here&#x27;s a throwback to some of those memorable matchups! </p><p>Star Magic’s basketball event had been an in-house affair, with its male stars split into two teams to battle each other for hardcourt bragging rights, until in 2019, on the All-Star Games’ 10th year, they welcomed their first outside challengers—the &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/itsshowtime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>It&#x27;s Showtime</em></u></strong></a>&quot; All Stars.   </p><p>&quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/itsshowtime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>It&#x27;s Showtime</em></u></strong></a>&quot; torchbearer Vice Ganda led Jhong Hilario, Zeus Collins, Jimboy Martin, Kid Yambao, Vitto Marquez, Ion Perez, Johannes Rissler, Paulo Angeles, Ryan Bang, Jugs Jugueta, and Teddy Corpuz. Meanwhile, Team Star Magic Warriors was captained by Gerald Anderson and composed of Daniel Padilla, Zanjoe Marudo, JC de Vera, Joseph Marco, Ronnie Alonte, Donny Pangilinan, Axel Torres, JV Kapunan, Jose Sarasola, Joe Vargas, Gerhard Acao, and Kyle Velino. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-q9zwoMR5ic" title="All-Star Games 2019 Highlights" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>And, boy, was that first showdown historic! The teams went neck-and-neck, ending regulation tied at 64 and pushing the battle into a nail-biting double overtime. Gerald fouled out in the first OT, but Daniel helped keep the Warriors&#x27; momentum going with his three-pointers and consistent free throws. </p><p>After a double-overtime thriller, Team Star Magic showed that they could take on competition beyond their own roster as they emerged victorious, 119-109, with Gerald hailed as MVP. </p><p>What better way to celebrate Star Magic’s big 3-0 than by bringing back that exciting rivalry? After a two-year pandemic break, the Star Magic All-Star Games returned in 2022, with Team Star Magic and Team “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/itsshowtime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>It’s Showtime</em></u></strong></a>” squaring off for a rematch. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SZ1kQb3epcg" title="Star Magic 30th All-Star Games | Highlights" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Ronnie led the Star Magic Dream Team, backed by Donny and familiar All-Star Games key players Gerhard and Kyle, as well as RK Bagatsing, Jerome Ponce, Karl Gabriel, Miko Raval, and Paolo Gumabao.  </p><p>Across the court, Vhong Navarro called the shots for the Team “It’s Showtime” roster featuring Ryan, Kid, Johannes, Zeus, Ion, Teddy, Nyoy Volante, Eric “Eruption” Tai, Wilbert Ross, and Ogie Alcasid—with Vice Ganda cheering them on from courtside. </p><p>The rematch went to Team “It’s Showtime,” with Johannes emerging as the MVP. But Team Star Magic kept battling until the final buzzer, giving the crowd plenty to cheer for and showing that they will put up a good fight. Win or lose, Team Star Magic&#x27;s fighting spirit and sportsmanship will never leave the court. </p><p>The following year, during the All-Star Games 2023, Team “It’s Showtime” returned as the reigning champs, while the Team Star Magic came in hungry for redemption. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Kw3FZgWEuY" title="Team Star Magic vs. Team It&#x27;s Showtime (2nd Half) | Basketball | Star Magic All-Star Games 2023" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Star Magic&#x27;s 2023 lineup was loaded with court titans Gerald, Daniel, Donny, Ronnie, and Zanjoe, together with Gerhard, Miko, JV, Jeremiah Lisbo, Joseph Marco, and Argel Saycon. </p><p>With pro player LA Tenorio at the helm and Gerald doubling as assistant coach, the boys came out swinging and held the advantage through the first and second quarters. By the third quarter, though, the defending champs switched gears, even as Daniel kept raining threes for Team Star Magic.  </p><p>In the end, Team It&#x27;s Showtime defended its crown with a narrow comeback win. But with Team Star Magic owning the early quarters and fighting until the very last second, the boys definitely didn&#x27;t make that back-to-back title easy! </p><p>In 2024, there was a new challenger in town! Team Payaman&#x27;s ANBILIBABOL tested the skills of Star Magic’s “rookies” squad.  </p><p>Online celebrity Cong Velasquez pulled double duty as player and coach for the Anbilibabol squad featuring his fellow content creators Burong, Nelson Mendoza, Dudut Lang, Boss Keng, Steve Wijayawickrama, Matthaios, Carding Magsino, Junnie Boy, Mentos, Bok, Chris Lagudas, and Yow. </p><p>But Star Magic’s young guns were more than ready for the challenge, with Donny and Ronnie leading Seth Fedelin, DJ Jimmy Nocon, Tan Roncal, Isaiah dela Cruz, Dustine Mayores, River Joseph, Kobie Brown, LA Santos, Joao Constancia, and BGYO’s Mikki Claver. The Shooting Stars Blue outplayed their guest crew to notch the first basketball win for Team Star Magic that evening.  </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m64kJc5A1Tg" title="Team Star Magic vs Cong’s Team Anbilibabol | Parade of Players | Star Magic All-Star Games 2024" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RSbH5mq8-LY" title="Team Star Magic vs Cong’s Team Anbilibabol | Awarding | Star Magic All-Star Games 2024" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>For the main event, Star Magic and “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/itsshowtime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em><u>It’s Showtime</u></em></strong></a>” renewed their friendly feud for a fourth face-off, with the Shooting Stars Red determined to finally turn the tables on the back-to-back champs. Gerald took charge as player-coach alongside RK, Jeremiah, MIko, JV, Tristan, Argel, Ashton Salvador, Elyson de Dios, Lance Carr, and LA Nepomuceno. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_6Ye2QUER8I" title="Team Star Magic vs Team It&#x27;s Showtime | 1st QTR | Star Magic All-Star Games 2024" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Vhong, Jhong, and the rest of Team “It’s Showtime” certainly didn&#x27;t want to give up their title, but after years of &#x27;gigil&#x27; on the court, Team Star Magic finally got its sweet revenge and brought the glory back home.  </p><p>Team Payaman&#x27;s ANBILIBABOL came back to the All-Star Games in 2025 with some unfinished business against the Star Magic Shooting Stars. But the home team was just as ready for the rematch, with Donny stepping up as captain and hardcourt veteran Gerald as head coach. </p><p>Donny had plenty of firepower on his side, with River, Elyson, JV, Argel, Ashton, Mikki, Seth, Joao, Kobie, Emilio Daez, and Diego Gutierrez, plus rookies JM Ibarra and Marc Nanninga. Across the court, playing coach Cong TV reunited with Junnie Boy, Boss Keng, Dudut, Burong, Yow, Carding, Bok, Steve, Nelson, Matthaios, Igme, Chris, and Patrick. </p><p>The Shooting Stars found their rhythm early and held the advantage through the first three quarters, with their depth and teamwork helping them build a comfortable lead. But Team Payaman came roaring back in the fourth quarter, erasing the gap until the game was tied at 65 with less than four minutes remaining. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/svtDXo6ycGQ" title="Team Payaman and Shooting Stars exchange savage &#x27;trash talk&#x27; | Star Magic All-Star Games 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hKrO_47b99k" title="Team Star Magic vs Cong’s Team Anbilibabol | 4th QTR | Star Magic All-Star Games 2025" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>From there, it was a fight to the finish. ANBILIBABOL had several chances to even the score in the dying seconds, but the Shooting Stars kept their composure and held on when it mattered most. Gerald and the squad ended the night as the Star Magic All-Star Games 2025 Grand Champions, while ANBILIBABOL finished as first runner-up after giving them one seriously tough fight. </p><p>Looking back, all those hard-fought battles against Team “It’s Showtime” and Cong TV’s ANBILIBABOL certainly helped toughen up the Star Magic boys and sharpen their competitive edge. From double-overtime thrillers to back-to-back rematches, they’ve been tested in more ways than one.  </p><p>Now, they’re about to put all that hardcourt experience to good use as they take on their first-ever cross-country showdown against Team GMMTV Thailand.  </p><p>And make no mistake, the Thai stars are coming in with some legit basketball pedigree. One of their biggest weapons is Neo Trai, a former competitive basketball player who boasts national-team experience after playing for Thailand’s youth basketball and securing bronze at the 2018 ASEAN School Games.  </p><p>Then there’s 6-foot-2 Joss Way-Ar, whose combination of size and athleticism could make him lethal on the court. A former university player, Joss keeps himself in fighting shape through intense gym work and boxing while maintaining his love for basketball. JJ Jutamas, AJ Jutamas, Ryu Phudtripart, Gawin Caskey, Marc Natarit, and Ping Krittanun are expected to bring their own athleticism to the lineup, too. </p><p>But, of course, Team Star Magic has its own arsenal of proven competitors. At the forefront is Gerald, whose basketball résumé extends well beyond his All-Star Games MVP awards, having tested his mettle in competitive leagues such as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).  </p><p>Bringing further depth to the Philippine side are Ronnie, JV, River, Emilio, Tristan, Argel, Jeremiah, Ashton, Elyson, and JM.  </p><p>These Star Magic players regularly put in the training, conditioning, and court work to sharpen their game. And several have the All-Star Games credentials to back it up. JV, Ronnie, Argel, and Ashton have all been crowned MVP in previous editions, while River and Elyson have consistently earned their places among the Mythical Five. JM, meanwhile, was last season&#x27;s Rookie of the Year. </p><p>Put together, Team Star Magic has a battle-tested core with proven scorers who sure knows how to respond when the pressure climbs. Against a formidable Thai contingent, their All-Star Games experiences through the years have made them a dangerous team to put away. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M_vmjK45lTM" title="Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 LIVESTREAM" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Stream the “SEAbling Showdown: Star Magic All-Star Games 2026” live on ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube membership and iWant Tickets this August 23 at 1 PM for only P79. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>More on this story: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/14/stream-live-action-of-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-via-abs-cbn-youtube-membership-iwant-tickets-1001" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Stream live action of Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 via ABS-CBN YouTube membership, iWant tickets</u></strong><br/></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/11/star-magic-s-all-star-games-gears-up-for-a-sea-bling-game-against-gmmtv-0120" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Star Magic’s All-Star Games gears up for a SEA-bling game against GMMTV</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/7/22/these-kilig-moments-from-star-magic-all-star-games-2025-hit-like-a-championship-win-2242" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>These kilig moments from Star Magic All-Star Games 2025 hit like a championship win</u></strong></a> </div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/7/21/exciting-matches-kilig-moments-amazing-performances-what-went-down-during-star-magic-all-star-games-1106" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Exciting matches, kilig moments, amazing performances: What went down during Star Magic All-Star Games 2025 </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/7/20/lady-spikers-rise-as-women-s-volleyball-champion-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2025-1512" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Lady Spikers rise as Women&#x27;s Volleyball Champion at Star Magic-All-Star Games 2025 </u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/7/20/shooting-stars-walk-in-like-true-hardcourt-heartthrobs-at-the-star-magic-all-star-games-2025-parade-2301" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Shooting Stars pull off suave disguise for epic parade reveal at Star Magic All-Star Games 2025</u></strong></a></div>

<p>Before facing GMMTV Thailand, look back at the guest teams that tested Team Star Magic’s skills and fighting spirit in the All-Star Games.</p>

Before facing GMMTV Thailand, look back at the guest teams that tested Team Star Magic’s skills and fighting spirit in the All-Star Games.

Battle-tested! Team Star Magic’s guest opponents through the years before GMMTV Thailand

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Battle-tested! Team Star Magic’s guest opponents through the years before GMMTV Thailand

Liezel Dela Cruz

Published August 20, 2026 01:30 AM PHT

|

Updated August 20, 2026 02:45 AM PHT

Read More:

Star Magic All-Star Games

All-Star Games 2026

All-Star Games It's Showtime

Team It's Showtime

All-Star Games Team Payaman

Cong's Abilibabol

GMMTV Thailand

Gerald Anderson

Donny Pangilinan

Daniel Padilla

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