Star Magic All-Star basketball lineup questioned vs more popular Thai stars

Fans question PH roster for first international matchup vs Thai stars, as others defend exhibition format ahead of August 23 game.

The lineup for the 2026 Star Magic All-Star Games has sparked mixed reactions after ABS-CBN unveiled the Filipino celebrities set to face Thailand’s GMMTV stars in a basketball exhibition on August 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The annual event will feature an international format for the first time, with Team Star Magic Philippines taking on artists from GMMTV, the Thai entertainment company behind several hit boys’ love (BL) series with massive followings across Asia.

Representing the Philippines are Emilio Daez, JM Ibarra, Gerald Anderson, Ronnie Alonte, River Joseph, Young JV, Tristan Ramirez, Argel Saycon, Jeremiah Lisbo, Ashton Salvador, and Elyson De Dios. They will face GMMTV’s lineup of AJ, Neo, Joss, Gawin, JJ, Ryu, Aston, Marc, Ping, and Teshow.

While fans welcomed the rare Philippines-versus-Thailand crossover, many questioned Star Magic’s choice of representatives, arguing that the event was a missed opportunity to field some of the agency’s biggest stars against GMMTV’s internationally known artists.

“I feel like it’s a lost opportunity to promote this event due to the PH lineup. Having bigger artists with bigger fandoms would totally shake this event,” one fan wrote.

Another suggested including actors such as Donny Pangilinan, Joshua Garcia, or Daniel Padilla, saying the matchup would have generated more excitement as it would also become “labanan din ng fandom.”

Others, however, urged fans to wait until the games begin, noting that the event is meant to be a friendly exhibition rather than a popularity contest. Ticketing details and other event information have yet to be announced.

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