Team Blue edges Team White in MVP Olympics All-Star Game

INCOMING TNT Tropang 5G super import Bol Bol made his first arena appearance to tease his highly-anticipated PBA debut in the Commissioner’s Cup on March 11.

Alongside MVP Group of Companies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manny V. Pangilinan, Mr. Bol led the ceremonial jumpball of the Sigla MVP Olympics (MVPO) All-Star Game won by Team Blue of TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s a great game. It’s real basketball,” said Mr. Pangilinan on the exhibition duel pitting a bevy of celebrity-athletes, brand endorsers, and PBA players and coaches to kick off the Olympics among the employees of the MVP Group.

“Sports have always been a powerful way to bring people together. Through the MPVO, we continue to celebrate discipline, passion and the collective spirit that drives our group forward,” added the long-time sports patron, SBP chairman emeritus and PBA stakeholder.

Under the tutelage of Mr. Lastimosa and his much-awaited tower import watching, Team Blue recovered from wasting a 12-point lead at the half to pull off a 60-59 win over Team White coached by Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo.

Wendell Ramos, a celebrity-athlete, drained the game-winning free throws with 4.7 seconds left to finish with five points as young star Lance Carr led the way with 26 points.

“It’s a beautiful game. When you see a beautiful game, everybody playing hard, everybody enjoys whoever wins,” said Mr. Lastimosa, who also had NLEX assistant coach Borgie Hermida and Meralco deputy Reynel Hugnatan in his staff, with Bolts guard CJ Cansino serving as import.

Mr. Trillo had TNT assistant Ranidel de Ocampo in his staff with his own player from Meralco in Chris Banchero as import.

Kevin Dasom (21), David Licauco (16) and JC De Vera led the way for Team White, who snatched a 59-58 lead in the homestretch but failed to seal the deal as Mr. Ramos put on a heroic finish.

Apart from the players and coaches of the three MVP teams in the PBA, also in attendance are PBA Chairman, SBP President and TNT Governor Ricky Vargas (Team Blue manager), Meralco Governor and Senior Vice-President Atty. William Pamintuan (Team White manager), NLEX Team Governor Ronald Dulatre, who serves as the MVPO commissioner, NLEX eam manager Virgil Villavicencio, TNT legend Asi Taulava and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MIPC) Executive Director and Chief Finance Chaye Cabal-Revilla.

All employees who will participate in the week-long MPVO from MPIC, PLDT, Smart-Maya, Meralco, Metro Pacific Health, Philex Mining, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.and MediaQuest also graced the event.

“Hosting the MVP Olympics 2026 has been truly meaningful for us at the MPIC. The energy and unity we’ve seen throughout this event show how a shared commitment to well-being can bring our community together in powerful ways,” said Ms. Cabal-Revilla.

Backstopping Messrs. Ramos and Carr for Team Blue were Rabin Angeles, Prince Carlos, Joao Constancia, Ryan Eigenmann, Cedrick Juan, Diego Loyzaga and Paulo Angeles while Team White had Derek Ramsay, Boom Labrusca, Prince Clemente, Marco Gallo, Dylan Menor, Martin Venegas and national athlete Michael Ver to help Messrs. Dasom, Licauco and De Vera.

Enrique Gil (Team Blue) and Dennis Trillo (Team White) didn’t suit up but cheered from the sidelines alongside legendary OPM artist Pops Fernandez with Jed Madela, Jona, Andrea Brillante, G-Force and stars of the Bagets: The Musical starring at the halftime show. — John Bryan Ulanday