Gerald Anderson-led Blue Team once again dominated the All-Star Basketball Game as they took home
the highly coveted championship trophy for this year’s exhibition match after their lopsided win over
the Red Team, 113-75.
Deafening screams filled the Araneta Coliseum last August 19 from the moment the celebrity players
stepped out from the dugout, wearing their killer smiles and extreme enthusiasm, up to the game
proper and its conclusion.
Right from the first quarter, Blue Team did not let the Red Team come close as they sealed the opening
frame with 10-point margin, 24-14. Daniel Padilla and his squad exerted their best to keep pace or at
least diminish their continuously increasing score deficit, but their opponents remained relentless with
their sweet shooting.
Although there were intense moments throughout the game, they still maintained the camaraderie
among them as the heartthrobs willingly reached out their hands to those who need some lifting up and
greeted each other with brotherly hugs after the friendly match.
In the end, Blue Team took home their second win, with their captain Gerald Anderson bagging his
second Most Valuable Player award for leading his lineup with his 24 points and eight rebounds.
Seasoned actor Richard Gutierrez was hailed as the All-Star Rookie of the Year because of his astounding
feat in the annual basketball event.
Meanwhile, Rayver Cruz, Daniel Padilla, Axel Torres, Gerald Anderson, and Young JV were named in the
Mythical Five.
When asked regarding the secret of their fantastic performance, this year’s MVP owe it to their
chemistry, which, according to him, is comparable to an unbeatable loveteam.
“Great chemistry, ‘yon ang meron kami. But ‘yong commitment na binigay ng Blue Team sa bawat
practice namin, sobrang hands down ako. Sobra akong nagpapsalamat,” the celebrity-athlete, who now
plays for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League team Marikina Shoemakers, shared.
On the other hand, Red Team leader Daniel Padilla divulged that the reason behind their loss is their lack
of preparation, since most of them have prior showbiz commitments to attend to, especially him who’s
currently busy with his newest project “The Hows of Us.”
“Congratulations, napakahusay ng ipinakita n’yo. Good job, men!,” Daniel’s message to Blue Team
Aside from the players, other celebrities spotted in the exhibition game were Kathryn Bernardo, Vice
Ganda, Sarah Lahbati and son Zion, Miles Ocampo, Dominic Roque, Vicky Rushton, Karla Estrada’s
nephew Jordan, Marco Alcaraz, Loisa Andalio, and Korina Sanchez.
Gracing the halftime show were Kisses Delavin, Maris Racal, and Darren Espanto.