The One Ayala Mall Activity Center was filled with cheers and gratitude as TNT Tropang 5G and PLDT High Speed Hitters hosted their joint Grand Fans Day, “Champions Together.” The event brought together thousands of supporters in a celebration of loyalty, resilience, and shared victories.
Fans from across Metro Manila and nearby provinces came to meet their sports idols. Hendrix Manaoat from Valenzuela shared, “Para sa TNT, pumunta talaga ako dito. Kahit umulan, kahit malayo. Yung puso, nandito.”
A ka-Tropa since 2011, Robin Delgaco from Caloocan added, “Dream ko talaga makita sila. Kahit SIM card ko, TNT pa rin.”
For TNT’s Kim Aurin, the event was a reminder of the team’s purpose. “Sobrang excited kami makita yung fans kasi sila talaga ang nagbibigay buhay sa amin bilang players,” he said. “Maraming salamat sa malupitang suporta ninyo. Gagawin namin ang best namin sa 50th anniversary ng PBA.”
PLDT's Kim Kianna Dy, who recently returned from injury, expressed deep appreciation. “It was a long wait, and I’m super grateful the fans kept cheering even when I wasn’t playing. They’re one of the reasons I kept going.” She also reflected on the team’s journey: “Hard work always works. It wasn’t easy to get a back-to-back championship. We just worked hard, stayed together, and trusted the process.”
Yul Solajes, a fan and volleyball player from Taguig, shared how Dy inspired him: “She’s a natural. As a player myself, I relate to her journey. She’s an inspiration inside and outside the court.”
The event featured interactive booths, games, and exclusive merchandise, but the highlight was the connection between athletes and fans. Jude Turcuato, FVP and Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart, said, “We don’t just build teams—we build communities. Today showed us that the heart of sports isn’t just in the game, but in the people who believe in it.”
The message was clear: “Champions Together” is more than a slogan—it’s a commitment to the fans who continue to support, celebrate, and stand by their teams through every season.
PLDT and Smart remain committed to supporting Filipino athletes by creating platforms that connect teams with their communities, investing in grassroots development, and championing sports as a source of national pride and unity.
