MANILA, Philippines — Bol Bol, the highly anticipated new import for TNT Tropang 5G, made his first live appearance at the Sigla MVP Olympics (MVPO) All-Star Game on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This event served as a preview leading up to his much-awaited Bol Bol PBA debut scheduled for March 11 during the Commissioner’s Cup.
Joining Bol Bol for the ceremonial jumpball was Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of MVP Group of Companies. The exhibition game highlighted the event’s effort to blend athletic competition with company camaraderie, featuring MVP Group employees, PBA players, and celebrity participants.
Teams Compete in Exhibition Match Led by Notable Coaches
Team Blue, managed by TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa, overcame a second-half deficit to secure a narrow 60-59 victory over Team White, which was coached by Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo. Despite holding a 12-point lead at halftime, Team Blue had to rally to clinch the win.
Team Blue was spearheaded by young phenom Lance Carr, who scored a game-high 26 points, while Wendell Ramos delivered the clutch performance by sinking the decisive free throws with just 4.7 seconds remaining. Key players for Team White included Kevin Dasom (21 points), David Licauco (16), and JC De Vera, who pushed the team to a late 59-58 lead before Ramos’ final shots.
It’s a beautiful game. When you see a beautiful game, everybody playing hard, everybody enjoys whoever wins,
said Lastimosa, who was supported by NLEX assistant coach Borgie Hermida and Meralco deputy Reynel Hugnatan. Meanwhile, Team Blue’s import was Bolts guard CJ Cansino.
On the opposing sideline, Trillo had TNT assistant Ranidel de Ocampo on his coaching staff, with Meralco player Chris Banchero serving as Team White’s import.
Leadership and Support from Top MVP Executives
The game featured the presence of several key figures from the MVP Group and associated PBA teams. Attending were PBA chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas, who also managed Team Blue and celebrated his 74th birthday that day, along with Meralco governor and senior vice president William Pamintuan, Team White’s manager.
Other notable attendees included NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre, who serves as the MVPO commissioner; NLEX team manager Virgil Villavicencio; TNT legend Asi Taulava; and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation executive director and chief finance officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla.
The event was enriched by participation from employees across multiple MVP Group units such as MPIC, PLDT, Smart-Maya, Meralco, Metro Pacific Health, Philex Mining, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Media Quest.
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 Cabal-Revilla.
Diverse and Star-Studded Lineups Elevate the Competition
Bolstering Team Blue alongside Ramos and Carr were Rabin Angeles, Prince Carlos, Joao Constancia, Ryan Eigenmann, Cedrick Juan, Diego Loyzaga, and Paulo Angeles. Team White fielded Derek Ramsay, Boom Labrusca, Prince Clemente, Marco Gallo, Dylan Menor, Martin Venegas, and national athlete Michael Ver alongside their leading scorers.
Though Enrique Gil and Dennis Trillo did not participate on the court, they provided enthusiastic support from the sidelines alongside OPM legend Pops Fernandez. The halftime show created a festive atmosphere featuring musical performances by Jed Madela, Jona, Andrea Brillante, G-Force, and the cast of Bagets: The Musical.
Significance of the MVP Olympics and Bol Bol’s Upcoming Career Milestone
The Sigla MVP Olympics serves as a unique platform that fosters unity and sportsmanship within the MVP Group workforce while shining a spotlight on basketball talents from the household names in Philippine sports. Bol Bol’s appearance underscored the excitement building toward his professional debut in the PBA, representing a significant addition to TNT Tropang 5G’s lineup.
The exhibition not only showcased competitive spirit but also reflected the organization’s broader commitment to wellness and community engagement through sports. As Bol Bol prepares to take the court for his first official PBA game, expectations are high for his impact in the league, promising to elevate TNT’s competitive edge this season.
