Anna Marie Lukban

Hardcourt is in session! The arena goes wild as Team PH and Team Thai make their entrance at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

The SEAbling spirit and &#x27;bayanihan&#x27; were on full display as Filipinos rolled out a warm welcome for their Thai guests before the friendly competition began at the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 Main Basketball event on August 23 at the Mall of Asia arena.Before the opening tip, both squads were given a grand introduction as each player marched to thundering cheers. The crowd roared for every name announced, giving the PH-Thai showdown a big-game atmosphere from the very start.Team Thailand, or the GMMTV All-Stars, entered the matchup with legit hoops experience on its roster, led by Neo Trai Nimtawat, a former competitive player who once helped his team win a bronze medal at the 2018 ASEAN School Games. The squad also had size on their side with 6-foot-2 Joss Way-Ar Sangngern, a former university player. Teshow Promsakha Na, Ping Krittanun Aunchananun, AJ Jutamas, JJ Jutamas, Aston, Ratiphat Luengvoraphan, Ryu Phudtripart, Marc Natarit Worakornlertsith, and Gawin Caskey completed a roster built to challenge Team Philippines.But the Star Magic Shooting Stars weren&#x27;t exactly short on firepower either. Gerald Anderson brought perhaps the deepest basketball résumé to the Philippine side, having collected the most MVP awards than any other player in ASG&#x27;s history and tested his game in more competitive territory, including stints in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).Joining him were Emilio Daez, JM Ibarra, Ronnie Alonte, River Joseph, Young JV, Tristan Ramirez, Argel Saycon, Jeremiah Lisbo, Ashton Salvador, and Elyson De Dios. Team Philippines even had Darna herself, Jane de Leon, as its muse, looking as though she had descended from the heavens as she made her gorgeous entrance onto the court.Sportsmanship was alive and well as Gerald and Emilio welcomed the GMMTV All-Stars, while Thai actors Joss and Gawin talked about the work they put in ahead of the battle, with Joss sharing they had studied their opponents and knew Team Philippines would bring its best game. Friendship tokens were then exchanged between the two teams before all that goodwill gave way to some feisty hardcourt action.Stream the #StarMagicAllStarGames2026 LIVE and catch the All-Star Fancams featuring your fave Star Magic artists for only ₱79*.Go to the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Membership and click &quot;JOIN,&quot; or book via iWantTickets.AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE | *Additional charges may apply.

The stage is set for an exciting hardcourt face-off between the Shooting Stars and GMMTV All-Stars at All-Star Games 2026.

The stage is set for an exciting hardcourt face-off between the Shooting Stars and GMMTV All-Stars at All-Star Games 2026.