Battle of the All-Stars: Is the Sigla MVP Games a Copycat or a Tribute to a 90s Classic?

Star Magic Basketball event vs. Sigla MVPO All Star Basketball vs Star Olympic 1993 Basketball match

The Philippine entertainment world is currently witnessing a digital tug-of-war. Following the star-studded Sigla MVP All-Star Games held on February 24, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, social media has become a battleground for fans debating the "true standard" of celebrity sporting events.

While some netizens were quick to point fingers, claiming the event was a "copycat" of ABS-CBN’s long-standing Star Magic All-Star Games, pop culture historians and eagle-eyed fans are setting the record straight.

The Viral Spark: "ABS-CBN is the Standard?"

The controversy began when several "Alt" accounts on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that the MVP Group (Meralco, PLDT, Smart, TV5) was simply following the blueprint laid out by the Kapamilya network.

> "Taray may pa Star Magic All Star Games din pla ang MVP... ABSCBN really the Standard noh?" one post read, sparking thousands of interactions.

However, the narrative was quickly challenged by fans of the legendary German "Kuya Germs" Moreno.

Setting the Record Straight: The Star Olympics Legacy

According to veteran entertainment followers and recent viral receipts, the concept of a multi-network celebrity sports fest isn't a modern invention. Long before the current "Network Wars" cooled down, there was the Star Olympics in the 90s.

Organized by the "Master Showman" himself, Kuya Germs, the Star Olympics was the original "Unity Cup." It brought together stars from GMA-7, ABS-CBN, and ABC-5 (now TV5).

 * The Icons: Photos from Star ’96 recently resurfaced, showing icons like Edu Manzano, Richard Gomez, Willie Revillame and Joey Marquez competing in various sports.

 * The Difference: While modern games often focus on a single talent agency, the Star Olympics—much like the recent MVP Sigla event—focused on industry-wide participation.

Why the Sigla MVP All-Star Games is Different

The 2026 Sigla MVP Games showcased a unique "crossover" energy that hasn't been seen in years. The event featured a mix of:

 * Kapatid Stars: (TV5 stars like Cedric Juan, Derek Ramsay, Dylan Menor, and Enrique Gil)

 * Kapuso Stars: (GMA Network talents like David Licauco and Wendell Ramos)

 * Kapamilya Stars: (ABS-CBN talents like Andrea Brillantes and Jed Madela)

* Vivarkada: (Viva Artists like Rabin Angeles, Marco Gallo and Rabin Angeles)

 * The MVP Employees: The event serves as a massive internal "Olympics" for the thousands of employees under the MVP Group of Companies.

The Verdict: Evolution, Not Imitation

While ABS-CBN certainly popularized and consistentized the celebrity basketball format for the modern generation, the "Standard" of uniting different networks for sports actually belongs to the 90s era of Kuya Germs.

The Sigla MVP All-Star Games isn't just a basketball match; it’s a revival of that "inclusive" spirit—bringing together the White and Blue teams to perform and compete under one roof, regardless of which channel you watch them on.