Candon City takes center stage as PVL All-Stars turn showcase into celebration 

Before the first serve is even struck, Candon City has already won.

The 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase may officially begin on Friday, but the celebration started days earlier, as the country’s biggest volleyball stars transformed the quiet Ilocos Sur city into the center of the sport—not just through competition, but through connection.

From a warm welcome dinner on Wednesday night to a meaningful tree-planting activity at the Candon Ecopark on Thursday, PVL and Spikers’ Turf standouts embraced a different kind of spotlight—one that went beyond the court. Beneath the calm canopy of trees and far from the noise of packed arenas, the league’s biggest names shared a moment of purpose before shifting gears to high-level action.

That balance between community and competition sets the tone for what promises to be a unique All-Star experience.

Come Friday, the energy shifts to full throttle inside the Candon City Arena.

The showcase opens at 3 p.m. with the Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game, putting the men’s league’s elite on display. But the main event arrives at 5:30 p.m., when the Premier Volleyball League All-Stars take center stage in a highly anticipated clash between Team Heart and Team Hustle.

Team Heart enters with a lineup built on chemistry and star power. With Jia De Guzman orchestrating plays, supported by the firepower of Jema Galanza and the presence of Jeanette Panaga, the squad blends familiarity with versatility. They are joined by rising and established stars alike, including Bella Belen, Majoy Baron, Erika Santos, and Justine Jazareno, under the guidance of PLDT’s Rald Ricafort.

But their depth might be what makes them truly dangerous.

Alyssa Valdez headlines a loaded bench that also features newly crowned MVP Vanie Gandler, along with Dawn Catindig, Gel Cayuna, Myla Pablo, MJ Phillips, and Jean Asis—giving Team Heart multiple options across rotations.

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Candon City treats PVL and Spikers’ Turf All-Star members with a drone show, celebrating the city’s hosting of the volleyball showcase. #PVL2026 #SpikersTurf2026 @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/DwVz387NbU

— Kennedy Caacbay (@kennedyzcaacbay) April 29, 2026

On the other side, Team Hustle counters with its own brand of firepower and intensity.

Kim Fajardo leads the charge alongside Kianna Dy and Mika Reyes, forming a core that thrives on experience and composure. Surrounding them are proven performers like Kath Arado, Bernadeth Pons, Eya Laure, and Fifi Sharma, with Rommel Abella calling the shots.

Their second unit ensures there’s no drop in level.

With Brooke Van Sickle and Tots Carlos anchoring the bench, plus contributions expected from Alohi Robins-Hardy, Ivy Lacsina, Jackie Acuña, Alyssa Eroa, and Bea De Leon, Team Hustle is built to sustain pressure from start to finish.

Yet beyond the matchups and star-studded lineups, this year’s showcase carries a deeper meaning.

It’s not just about assembling the best players—it’s about bringing the game closer to the fans, to communities, and to places that rarely get to host this level of talent. For Candon City, this isn’t just an event. It’s a moment.

And by the time the lights shine brightest on Friday night, one thing will already be clear:

The stars didn’t just come to play—they came to leave a mark.

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