Volleyball fiesta tomorrow

We’re calling it a volleyball fiesta as five of the country’s most outstanding players come together as guests in the second episode of The Philippine Star sports talk show “Beyond The Game With The Dean” at 8 tomorrow night live on The Philippine Star and Pilipino Star Ngayon Facebook pages.

The show was conceptualized by The Star’s account supervisor Mike Maneze and had its debut last July 13 with five PBA stars discussing the pro league’s suspended season. Terrence Romeo, Kiefer Ravena, Beau Belga, Jeron Teng and Scottie Thompson checked in to talk about everything and anything related to the country’s No. 1 sport. The conversation couldn’t have been livelier as the players shared insights, made never-before-heard revelations and poked fun at each other. In a post-performance report, Mike said the episode garnered total views of 86,419 with an estimated reach of 134,657 – not bad for a first show. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of The Philippine Star management and sponsors San Miguel Corp., Smart Communications and MG Morris Garages.

The program is scheduled every other Monday so tomorrow, the second episode gets going with Alyssa Valdez, Sisi Rondina, Mika Reyes, Michele Gumabao and John Vic de Guzman exchanging views on what lies ahead for volleyball. They’re coming to serve and it should be a fitting follow-up to the show’s rousing debut.

Alyssa, 27, is a three-time UAAP women’s indoor volleyball MVP and two-time champion. She led Ateneo to back-to-back titles in Seasons 76 and 77. In her second championship, the Lady Eagles finished with an unblemished 16-0 record. At the 2015 SEA Games, she was the Philippines’ flag bearer in the opening parade. Alyssa now plays for Creamline in the PVL. Sisi, 23, is a four-time UAAP beach volleyball MVP and Season 81’s MVP. The 5-6 pocket rocket powered UST to the women’s indoor volleyball finals but fell short of the coveted crown in Season 81 where she was named UAAP Athlete of the Year.

Mika, 26, saw action on three La Salle UAAP women’s indoor volleyball and four PSL championship teams. A six-foot middle blocker, she has played in the FIVB world clubs championships and several countries wearing the Philippine colors. Michele, 27, won three UAAP women’s indoor volleyball titles with La Salle and was the finals MVP in Season 75. She could’ve played one more year in the UAAP but opted to focus on her studies. Michele was the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas Globe and will represent the country at the next Miss Universe contest.

Finally, there’s John Vic, the only thorn among the roses in the episode. In 2016-17, he led CSB to the NCAA men’s indoor volleyball title. John Vic has played for the Philippines in three SEA Games and last December, towed the squad to an amazing silver medal finish. A Human Resource Management grad, 26-year-old John Vic has a budding career as an actor. Viewers may send in questions in the chat box during the show or via email ([email protected]), Twitter (@TheDeanQuinito), Instagram (@therealdeanquinito) and Facebook (Joaquin Henson, Quinito Henson). Don’t fail to join the volleyball fiesta tomorrow.