It was a day of fun and star power as fans and celebrities gathered for the annual Star Magic All-Star Games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 20. With electrifying performances and nail-biting matches, this year’s event brought together Kapamilya stars and their fans in an unforgettable showcase of athleticism and camaraderie.
Here are some of the biggest highlights from this year’s games:
The first All-Star Games Men’s Volleyball Game
Kicking off the event was the debut of the Men’s Volleyball Game, a historic addition to the All-Star Games. The match featured Team Smashers, led by Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 housemate Dylan Yturralde, facing off against Team Aces, captained by BGYO’s JL.
The competition began with a tight first set, with Team Aces narrowly winning, 25–23. However, Team Smashers fought back in the second set and tied the match. The final game was a thrilling back-and-forth, eventually won by Team Smashers with a 16–14 finish.
Patrick Ramirez of the Smashers was named Most Valuable Player, while Mark Santiago earned Rookie of the Year.
“Sobrang grateful po ako kasi nagkaroon kami ng opportunity kaming Men’s Volleyball Team na ipakita yung talento namin dito sa Araneta and maraming mamraming salamat po sa ABS-CBN and Star Magic,” Patrick shared.
This year’s Mythical 6 consisted of Patrick Ramirez, Dylan Yturralde, and Giles Torres from Team Smashers, along with BGYO JL, BGYO Akira, and Bong Gonzales from Team Aces.
BGYO Akira shared how meaningful the experience was, especially in forming friendships with fellow athletes and professional players.
BINI Mikha’s Lady Spikers versus Analain Salvador’s Lady Setters
The Lady Spikers and Lady Setters were led by their best players last year: The Four Bad Boys and Me actress Analain Salvador (Spikers) and BINI member Mikha Lim (Setters).
The first set was a nail-biting exchange, ending with the Lady Setters edging out the Spikers, 25–23. The second set proved just as competitive, with the Lady Spikers rallying for a 27–25 win. In the deciding third set, both teams battled for dominance, but Analain delivered a powerful final spike to secure the 15–11 victory for the Lady Spikers.
Analain once again claimed the MVP title, marking her fifth consecutive win in the event, while PBB Gen 11 Big Winner Fyang Smith was awarded Rookie of the Year. The Mythical 6 for the women’s game included Reign Parani, Rain Celmar, and Mikha Lim from the Lady Setters, alongside Analain Salvador, Carmella Ford, and Janah Zaplan from the Lady Spikers.
From BINI to Team Captain - Mikha Lim and her cheering squad
Even though her team didn’t win this year, Mikha Lim still had a memorable night thanks to the unwavering support of her BINI members.
BINI Jhoanna, Aiah, Stacey, Maloi, Gwen, Sheena, and Colet were all present to cheer on Mikha and the Lady Setters. Their presence was a touching display of their group’s bond, with Sheena humorously posting on X: “CONGRATULATIONS MIKHAELA JANNA LIMMM SO PROUD OF YOUUU SORRY TAON TAON MO NALANG SIYA KASAMA SA PIC KAMI ATA BADLUCK KAYA KA LAGI TALO AHHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAH WE LOVE YOU MIKHSSS.”
Mikha later took to X herself to express her gratitude, saying, “Thank you blooms, thank you my mikhalites and THANK YOU LADY SETTERS!!! My love for you guys are forever ❤️ To me what’s important is we all had fun😌 And grabe tawa ko jusko i can’t 🤣”
She added, “Maraming maraming salamat po talaga ❤️😭❤️😭 I actually downloaded X again so I can respond heh. I love you blooms!! And thank you bini girls❤️ Thank you for showing up.”
WRIVE back on court as P-pop group and Carmelle Collado’s salute to Little Mix
The halftime entertainment raised the energy even higher, as P-pop group WRIVE officially returned to the All-Star Games court with performances of their new singles “Ooh La La” and “Señorita.”
Now officially signed under StarPop and Star Music, the five-member boy group marked their comeback with strong vocals and synchronized choreography. Their return marked a full-circle moment after previously performing at last year’s All-Star Games.
Joining the performance lineup was Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown Grand Champion Carmelle Collado, who wowed the crowd with an impressive Little Mix medley featuring “Black Magic,” “Power,” and “Salute.” Carmelle's powerful vocals, high notes, and dynamic stage presence, alongside the Baby Dolls from It’s Showtime, earned roaring cheers from the crowd.
Star Magic Team Shooting Stars Grand ‘PGT’ Entrance
For the main basketball event, Donny Pangilinan and Gerald Anderson’s Team Shooting Stars returned to defend their title with a grand entrance.
The team disguised themselves as backup crew members before joining a fiery performance by PGT Season 7 semifinalists Fuego Eterno, revealing themselves onstage to wild cheers from the audience.
Adding to the fun was light-hearted trash talk between Donny and Team Payaman’s Junnie Boy, who traded jabs about last year’s results and this year’s preparations.
Donny remarked, “Okay na kami. Panalo kami last year kaso kasi hinamon nila kami bigla so sana galingan niyo na lang. Ayun lang masasabi ko. Balita ko aksi lahat sila magpapogi, pinapanood kasi namin yung vlogs nila kaya sana pogi rin yung score niya.”
Junnie Boy countered, “Ngayong taon, diyan kayo nagkamali kasi last year kami nagperform ng ganyan (pero talo). Ngayon kawawa kayo. Nagperform na sila ngayon, kami last year kaya tabla-tabla na iyan.”
He added, “Ang pinaghandaan namin ay laro, yung performance kanila na iyan.”
Cong’s Anbilibabol ‘The Greatest Showman’ comeback
Not to be outdone, Cong TV responded with a theatrical comeback. Right before the match, Cong surprised everyone with a Greatest Showman-inspired musical performance, featuring a special VTR that recapped last year’s loss and this year’s preparations. As the video ended, Cong and the rest of Team Payaman appeared onstage in full production mode, combining music, dance, and humor.
“Katapusan niyo na! Ito na ang aming paghihiganti, hindi na muling maghihiganti kaya kabahan ka na Donny! Kaya, humanda na kayo! Hindi na kami magbibiro at taagang may kalalagyan kayo,” Cong sang his message to Donny and his team.
He even joked afterward about forgetting to include Gerald Anderson’s name in his lyrics, drawing more laughs from the audience.
“Maraming salamat. May nakalimutan akong lyrics, ‘At Gerald Anderson!’ Wala akong performance pero ayan ang mensahe ko sa inyo,” Cong added.
Shooting Stars versus Anbilababols
The actual basketball game proved just as dramatic. Team Shooting Stars, led by Donny and coached by Gerald Anderson, took early control, winning the first three quarters with scores of 21–14, 39–31, and 63–50.
However, in the final quarter, Team Anbilibabol launched a thrilling comeback, narrowing the gap and putting pressure on the defending champions. The last minutes were intense, with strategic substitutions, free throws, and a brief clash involving Shooting Stars’ Ashton Salvador and Anbilibabol’s Dudut.
Despite the pressure, Team Shooting Stars held their ground and clinched the win with a final score of 73–70, successfully defending their crown.
The game’s MVP title went to Argel Saycon, while JM Ibarra earned Rookie of the Year. This year’s Mythical Five included Argel Saycon, JV Kapunan, and Donny Pangilinan of Team Shooting Stars, as well as Nelson Mendoza and Patrick Bernal of Team Anbilibabol.
BINI made Araneta ‘Out of My Head’ and ‘Shagidi’
To wrap up the high-energy night, BINI returned to the stage with electrifying performances of “Out of My Head” and “Shagidi,” treating fans to a burst of fun and vibrant choreography.
Although currently on a group break, the nation’s girl group made sure to join in the fun and support their fellow Kapamilya stars. Their final number brought the house down and fans and stars left the Araneta Coliseum on a high note.