The Kapuso stars noted of the bond and new learning that they were able to get from their short training, and the matches, themselves.
The GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games yesterday, April 23, ended on a high note, with a new set of learning, skill, and friendship, becoming the ultimate prize, especially to Kapuso artists. Both the Saints and Heroes teams of the men’s and women’s divisions were completed by certified Kapuso stars, Johnvic de Guzman, Carlo San Juan, Prince Clemente, Bruce Roeland, Kristoffer Martin, Cassy Legaspi, Angela Alarcon, Shaira Diaz, Lyra Micolob. De Guzman played for his alma mater, the College of St. Benilde, but he is also part of the Sparkle GMA Artist Center.
Speaking in an nterview, De Guzman has nothing but gratitude to GMA Network, for allowing such an event to take place.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa GMA at nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga players natin na…alam mo ‘yun, na makita ng mga families and fans,” he shared.
He also noted of the preparation of the Kapuso stars to make sure they perform well in the games. “Ang saya kasi ‘yung mga Kapuso (artists) natin, kahit hindi naman nila sports ‘to, nilaro nila ng buong puso at nakita naman natin na nagtraining pa sila, para paghandaan ang game na ‘to, ”.
He did not fail to acknowledge his fellow NCAA athletes, for extending a helping hand to their celebrity playmates. “Sa mga players natin na NCAA na maggaling talaga, eh makikita mo ‘yung camaraderie saka ‘yung chemistry…” he added.
As for Roeland, he admitted the challenges he faced as he is not, first and foremost, a volleyball player.
“Hindi talaga ako volleyball player, kaya ‘yung makasama sina Johnvic, ‘yung mga pro, ‘nung una kinabahan ako, di ko naitama ‘yung serve ko—it was enjoying,” he shared, noting the assistance he got from the professional players. He said that it was easy for him to get along with everyone in the game, as they are all accommodating.
“Lahat mabait. Noong unang training namin, noong Thursday and Friday, na’realizeko na they’re all welcoming and lahat tinuruan ako kung paano ‘yung mga techniques. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila kasi hindi sila ‘yung mayabang na ‘NCAA player ako’, super bait nila. Lahat sila welcoming, and I think we had a bond, ” he shared, adding that he got closest the most to the team’s coach, Timoti Manalansan of Arellano University.
Both men and women’s matches were won by Team Saints, but as abovementioned, it was the priceless experience that became the players’ ultimate prize. Here’s hoping the next games would include more sports, and more stars, of course!
