Noel Kampton didn’t just show up for the Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game—he took over it.
By the end of the night at the Candon City Arena, the former La Salle standout had already checked off plenty: a win, a statement performance, and a Most Valuable Player trophy to cap off Team Power’s four-set triumph over Team Passion, 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23.
But Kampton’s imprint stretched far beyond the box score.
He finished with 14 points built on 13 attacks and a lone block, yet it was the timing of those hits—and the energy that came with them—that helped swing momentum firmly in Team Power’s favor, especially during a decisive 6-0 burst early that set the tone for the match.
Still, it wasn’t just about scoring.
Kampton turned the exhibition into a full-blown spectacle, feeding off the crowd and even sparking playful exchanges on the sidelines with Criss Cross head coach Tai Bundit, who handled Team Passion. At one point, after converting two “Premier Ball” sequences, Kampton even crossed toward Bundit’s side of the floor, turning a celebration into light-hearted banter that drew laughter from the stands.
“Lapit talaga ako kay Coach Tai. Ta-trashtalkin ko siya,” Kampton said, grinning as he recalled the moment.
The All-Star atmosphere clearly brought out a different side of him—looser, louder, and more expressive—but the competitive fire never left. Team Passion made things uncomfortable late, forcing a tighter finish, but Team Power held firm to complete the win.
For Kampton, the MVP citation carried a weight that went beyond the festivities. It was his first individual recognition in Spikers’ Turf after seasons of near-misses in both the league and his UAAP days—making the moment feel like more than just an All-Star souvenir.
“Siyempre special sa akin kasi in the past few seasons wala akong award sa Spikers’ Turf or sa UAAP pero importante naman, happy ako,” he said. “First All-Star ko sa Spikers’ Turf. Sobrang happy lang talaga.”
He also pointed to a deeper motivation behind the win, sharing that Team Power carried a personal mission into the match in support of head coach Sydney Calderon, following Criss Cross’ recent finals victory over Savouge.
“Coming from a loss sa naming Criss Cross, sabi naming mga Criss Cross ipanalo natin ‘to para kay Ma’am Sydney,” Kampton said.
And while the night ended with a trophy in hand and a smile on his face, Kampton hinted that his playful antics might not sit too well once he returns to training camp.
“Pero (mukhang) yari ako sa kanya,” he added with a laugh.
