With a lineup consisting of top National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) players and alumni as well as Kapuso celebrities, Team Saints emerged victorious both in the Men’s and Women’s Division of the “GMA NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games” held last April 23 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Under the Men’s Division, Team Saints showed their best form and definitely did not disappoint Head Coach Sammy Acaylar in their battle against Team Heroes, surviving three sets with 25-23, 25-17, 27-25.

NCAA Season 92 Most Valuable Player John Vic De Guzman from De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) and Season 98 MVP Louie Ramirez from University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD), joined by the remarkable efforts of Kapuso stars Carlo San Juan and Prince Clemente, paved the way for the Saints’ victory. An NCAA alumnus, De Guzman bagged the All-Star MVP Award while San Juan took home the Celebrity MVP Award.

Making impressive contributions to the team as well were Richard Nino Tolentino and Kyle Angelo Villamor from San Sebastian College Recoletos (SSC-R); Rey Taneo from UPHSD; Vince Himzon and Erickson James Ramos from Colegio San Juan De Letran (CSJL); Melver Lapurga and Jerome Lopez from San Beda University (SBU); George Gauani from DLS-CSB; and NCAA courtside reporter Miguel Venegas.

Meanwhile, despite failing to take home the crown, Team Heroes still did their best to make Head Coach Timoti Manalansan proud.

Making up the impressive lineup were NCAA stars Joshua Ramilo and Juvie Mangarin from Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC); Kenneth Daynata and Larry Sioco, Jr. from José Rizal University (JRU); Siegfred Corral and Deon Xander Colorado from Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU); Angelino Jose Pertierra and John Benedict San Andres from Mapua University (MU); Kim Vincent Tan and Christian Joshua Segovia from Arellano University (AU); NCAA volleyball analyst Jayvee Sumagaysay; and Sparkle stars Kristoffer Martin and Bruce Roeland.

Under the Women’s Division, the squad mentored by Head Coach Jerry Yee came to the battlefield prepared and swept their opponent, 25-20, 25-23.

Colegio de San Juan Letran (CSJL)’s Cha Cuñada gave her school another reason to celebrate as she led her team to victory, becoming the Most Valuable Player of the game, while Mary Rhose Dapol from UPHSD once again proved why she is this Season’s MVP with her impressive performance.

Kapuso celebrities Shaira Diaz and Lyra Micolob emerged as valuable assets to Team Saints, with Diaz earning the Celebrity MVP Award.

Equally shining on the court were Alyssa Eroa and Kristine Joy Dionisio from SSC-R; Angelique Dionela from UPHSD; Entezar Bangcola from CSJL; Zamantha Nolasco and Jannine Navarro from DLS-CSB; Aurea Francesca Racraquin and Chynna Castillo from San Beda University (SBU); and NCAA courtside reporter Chase Orozco.

Team Heroes, led by Head Coach Cromwell Garcia, did not make it easy for Team Saints to clinch the win. Working hand in hand to trounce the other team were Jen Omapas and Yvone Reyes from EAC; Sydney Niegos and Shola Alvarez from JRU; Ciarnelle Wanta and Zonxi Dahab from LPU; Jonina Mae Fernandez and Alyanna Nicole Ong from MU; Regine Arocha and Trina Marice Abay from AU; NCAA volleyball analyst Kara Acevedo-Ong; and Sparkle stars Cassy Legaspi and Angela Alarcon.

“We would like to congratulate Team Saints for winning this season’s NCAA All-Star Volleyball Games – both in the Men’s and Women’s Division. Kudos as well to Team Heroes for giving us great sets, and for showing us their excellent talent on the court. Thank you to everyone, our NCAA athletes and alumni, as well as to our Kapuso artists, for making this event successful, exciting, and extra-fun,” said First Vice President and Head of GMA Regional TV and Synergy, and Acting Head of GMA Integrated News Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.

The NCAA action continues with the much-awaited return of the Cheerleading Competition on April 30 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Competing teams to watch out for are the AU Chiefs Squad, Letran Cheering Squad, Benilde Blazers Pep Squad, EAC Generals Pep Squad, JRU Pep Squad, LPU Pirates Pep Squad, Mapua Cheering Pep Squad, San Beda Red Corps, Golden Stags Cheerleading Squad, and Altas Pep Squad.

Watch the NCAA Season 98 Cheerleading Competition live on GTV at 2:00 PM. Catch the live stream on the NCAA Philippines website (www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa), NCAA Philippines Facebook page and YouTube channel, and GMA Sports’ Facebook and Twitter pages. Kapuso abroad can catch all the action via international channel GMA News TV.

For more updates on NCAA, visit its official website www.ncaa.com.ph. Follow @ncaaphilippines, @gmasynergy, and @gmasportsph on social media.

For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.