Arzen Rose Dulzura

Who inspires the Shooting Stars? All-Star Games 2026 champs name their basketball heroes

Article (news)

Liezel Dela Cruz

<p>The Shooting Stars just made history as they won against their first-ever global challengers, Thailand&#x27;s GMMTV All-Stars, at the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/23/champions-shooting-stars-win-ph-thai-showdown-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-2131"><strong><u>WATCH: CHAMPIONS! Shooting Stars win PH-Thai showdown at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>This victory was the payoff of weeks of hard work, as the actors trained, conditioned their bodies, and poured their hearts into preparing for the battle. These Kapamilya ballers proved they have real love for the sport, and of course, they have their own idols who have influenced the way they see and take on the game.</p><p>Here, they revealed their favorite players!</p><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9rOuaRgF85A" title="Star Magic Shooting Stars&#x27; Favorite Basketball Players | All-Star Games 2026 Exclusive" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Who else would the winningest MVP in Star Magic All-Star Games history have on his list but another hardcourt king? Gerald Anderson names LeBron James as his idol. That admiration definitely rubbed off on Gerald’s own style, as he delivered a performance worthy of hardcourt royalty. He opened the scoring against GMMTV, sank an early three, helped set the tone for Team PH’s offense, and walked away with yet another MVP trophy. King recognizes king, indeed.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/23/meet-the-mvp-mythical-5-of-the-ph-thailand-seabling-showdown-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-2142"><strong><u>WATCH: Hardcourt kings! Meet the MVP, Mythical 5 of the PH-Thailand SEAbling Showdown at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Another member of the LeBron fan club is Ronnie Alonte, who has been following the NBA superstar since his first appearance in the league. And Ronnie definitely brought some big-game energy of his own to the SEAbling Showdown. Part of Team PH’s starting five, he helped fuel their early offense and later beat the quarter-two buzzer with a last-second basket that sent the Shooting Stars into halftime comfortably ahead. His efforts eventually earned him a spot in the Mythical 5.</p><p>Jeremiah Lisbo likewise chose LeBron, having witnessed the basketball icon’s journey through the years. And just like his hardcourt hero, Jeremiah can also be trusted from the opening tip. </p><p>For Emilio Daez, there is only one name needed— Kobe Bryant. The late Los Angeles Lakers legend remains one of basketball’s ultimate symbols of competitiveness, and Emilio also showed the same fearless shooting energy to Sunday’s showdown, where he and Gerald knocked down back-to-back threes in just the opening frame.</p><p>Since Ashton Salvador was young, he has admired Stephen Curry while also giving his flowers to the “OG,” Bryant. Perhaps all those years of watching elite shot-makers have fueled the former All-Star Games MVP&#x27;s drive to become a better baller himself.</p><p>JV Kapunan couldn’t settle for just one favorite, naming two guards with slick plays—Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brunson. Both NBA stars are known for creating opportunities with the ball in their hands.</p><p>As for Elyson De Dios, his basketball idol is none other than the coach who led their squad to a historic victory, yup, Gerald. Imagine winning a championship with the baller you look up to. Awesome!</p><p>With a roster that spans generations, Argel Saycon acknowledged the influence of Michael Jordan, LeBron and  Kobe, whom he grew up watching. Add to the list Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis. Closer to home, he looks up to June Mar Fajardo, Genar Bragais, and twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino. Just like the basketball greats who inspire him, Argel has also made his mark on the court. Last Sunday at the All-Star Games, he started for Team PH and finished the night as part of the Mythical 5 alongside Gerald and Ronnie.</p><p>River Joseph also gave us a loaded lineup, rattling off Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Edwards among his NBA favorites. That&#x27;s a mix of explosiveness, shooting, playmaking, and scoring power. It makes sense how he delivered the same athletic prowess during the SEAbling Showdown. He was on fire in the third quarter, stringing together basket after basket and helping Team PH keep a firm grip on the game. But ask him for his favorite local player and apparently there’s no competition. He said, “River Joseph.” Don&#x27;t we love a baller who believes in himself?</p><p>With their basketball heroes as inspiration, the Shooting Stars turned all that love for the game into one history-making performance at the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026.</p><p>Relive the action with your fave Star Magic and GMMTV artists! Watch #StarMagicAllStarGames2026 for FREE on Star Magic YouTube and iWant. Available worldwide.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>More on this story:</strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/24/seabling-history-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-delivers-one-epic-star-studded-sports-spectacle-1158"><strong><u>SEAbling history! Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 delivers one epic, star-studded sports spectacle</u></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/24/in-photos-action-star-power-and-camaraderie-on-full-display-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-0957"><strong><u>IN PHOTOS: Action, star power, and camaraderie on full display at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026</u></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/25/match-made-in-hardcourt-heaven-kapamilya-pairs-kilig-photos-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-0245"><strong><u>Match made in hardcourt heaven: Kapamilya pairs&#x27; kilig photos at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026</u></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/23/meet-the-mvp-mythical-5-of-the-ph-thailand-seabling-showdown-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-2142"><strong><u>Hardcourt kings! Meet the MVP, Mythical 5 of the PH-Thailand SEAbling Showdown at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026</u></strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/23/hardcourt-is-in-session-the-arena-goes-wild-as-team-ph-and-team-thai-make-their-entrance-at-star-magic-all-star-games-2026-1953"><strong><u>Hardcourt is in session! The arena goes wild as Team PH and Team Thai make their entrance at Star Magic All-Star Games 2026</u></strong></a></div>

<p>All-Star Games 2026 champs, the Shooting Stars, reveal their favorite basketball players.</p>

All-Star Games 2026 champs, the Shooting Stars, reveal their favorite basketball players.