Games these stars play

KIM CHIU, female sportsmanship award

The annual Star Magic Games, which took place on Sunday at De La Salle Greenhills, was stopped for two hours to make way for the historic fight between Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and American Floyd Mayweather Jr. ABS-CBN stars who participated in the sports fest took a break from competing with fellow celebrities to watch the match that Pacquiao eventually lost by unanimous decision.

“Organizers arranged for them to watch the fight [held in Las Vegas] via live streaming in two venues,” Thess Gubi, Star Magic PR manager, told the Inquirer on Monday.

Screenings were held at the La Salle gymnasium and the nearby Enrique Razon Activity Center.

DANIEL Padilla, MVP for basketball teens’ division

“The stars didn’t want to miss such a big event.”

“Just like most of us, our artists felt sad when Pacman lost,” added Gubi. “Gerald (Anderson) even commented that his basketball team should win to compensate for Pacquiao’s loss.”

Captain ball Anderson was captain ball of the Star Magic team, which eventually lost by three points (95-98) to the Sun Life team. The rival group was comprised of the insurance company’s employees and several young professional basketball players.

Sun Life Financial sponsored this year’s sports fest; the fifth since the event was conceptualized in 2000. Last year’s games were canceled due to bad weather, Gubi recalled.

KATHRYN Bernardo, most improved female player

The event began at 8 a.m. with the Parade of Colors. Piolo Pascual, the official torchbearer, delivered the opening remarks. Anderson recited the Oath of Sportsmanship, while Joseph Marco led the invocation.

Aside from basketball, which had kids, teens and adult divisions, the sports fest also featured volleyball, swimming, badminton, running as well as fun games like dodge ball, sack race relay, tug-of-war and patintero.

Bonding moments Like the annual Star Magic Ball, a night when Kapamilya artists are dressed to the nines, the sports fest is yet another chance for the celebs to bond and have fun. “In the sports fest, however, they don casual clothes and the girls take a break from wearing makeup,” said Gubi.

MATTEO Guidicelli, racer-turned-badminton player

“Our talents really look forward to the Star Magic Games. Some of them meet up days before the event to practice. A lot of them enjoy sports and take competition very seriously.”

Anderson won the best male athlete trophy, with Erich Gonzales as his female counterpart.

Julia Barretto bagged the MVP award for volleyball teens’ division, while Zaijian Jaranilla got the MVP trophy for basketball kids’ division.

Daniel Padilla likewise won the MVP award for basketball teens’ division, while Andrei Felix bagged it for basketball adults’ division.

GERALD Anderson, best male athlete

Most improved Xian Lim and Kim Chiu won the male and female sportsmanship awards, respectively, while Jerome Ponce and Kathryn Bernardo were the most improved male and female player awardees.

Erika Abello and Jon Lucas were the female and male rookie of the year winners. Iñigo Pascual and Sofia Andres were awarded the Mr. and Ms. Sun vs Star trophies.

Neil Coleta and PJ Endrinal won the gold medal for badminton men’s category, while Erich Gonzales and Toni Pizaro won gold in the women’s category.

For the badminton mixed category, the gold medals went to Dominique Roque and Kate Pepito. Robi Domingo and Alex Gonzaga

JULIA Barretto, MVP for volleyball teens’ division

cohosted the event.

Also present were Star Magic officials Johnny Manahan and Mariole Alberto. Other celebrities who attended the sports fest were Liza Soberano, Janella Salvador, Enchong Dee, Maja Salvador, Matteo Guidicelli, Rayver Cruz, Sharlene San Pedro, Zanjoe Marudo and Jason Abalos.

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