All Stars play for a cause

Alyssa Valdez takes a selfie with the rest of the Shakey’s V-League stars after the charity game. Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net

Everybody played better under no pressure.

The Shakey’s V-League’s best players gathered—and did cartwheels at the request of the crowd—in Sunday night’s 2016 All-Star Game for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Lawin in North Luzon.

There were no trash talk or dagger staredown. But each tried to look her best. Dzi Gervacio and Michelle Gumabao literally did, wearing makeup while playing.

Isa Molde of University of the Philippines  hammered against Customs star Alyssa Valdez at first set point. EJ Laure spiked over University of Santo Tomas teammate Ria Meneses.

Reinforced Conference Finals MVP Gumabao on the same side of the court as rivals Amy Ahomiro of BaliPure and Jia Morado of Ateneo.

And UST’s Cherry Rondina cracking jokes while at play, and in the fourth set did a cartwheel once before springing for a spike, and twice while serving.

The atmosphere was pure fun but somebody had to win: Team Palaban of Rondina, Gumabao and Pablo drubbed Team Puso of Valdez and Gervacio, 25-21, 19-25, 25-15, 25-22.

And after Team Puso’s Nicole Tiamson dumped a serve at matchpoint, Team Palaban made a big circle and thanked the big crowd at Philsports Arena by doing cartwheel all at the same time.

“It’s good to see everybody have fun in doing something that’s worthwhile, I guess my team is young and full of energy,” said Team Palaban coach Kungfu Reyes of UST.

Earlier, Team Galaw of Greg Dolor, Rodolfo Labrador and Marck Espejo bested Team Hataw, 25-21, 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, in the Spikers’ Turf men’s version of the all star.

“This is the league’s way of giving back to society,” said Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision.

Dolor, Labrador and Espejo each scored 10 points to carry Team Galaw over the Mark Alfafara-led Team Hataw. Alfafara wound up with 14 points.