Sharon Cuneta honored to return as PBA muse after 29 years

Back in the 16th season of the PBA, a 24-year-old Sharon Cuneta graced the opening ceremony as the muse of Purefoods.

So it was a surprise that she would do the same thing – with the same franchise – nearly three decades later.

Cuneta, who is known as the Megastar, served as the muse of the Magnolia Hotshots in the league’s 44th season opener, Sunday evening at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“Nineties pa.

“I think thirty years ago. It’s really my honor,” said Cuneta, now 53 years old.

Cuneta joined a Hotshots team that has players who likely weren’t born during her time as muse, which made her experience odd this time around.

“Parang mama nila ako, kapatid – ate, tita, mama,” she quipped. “Si Rafi [Reavis] hinahanap ko kasi halos he’s my brother na. Si Ping (Marc Pingris), nandiyan na asawa ni Danica (Sotto-Pingris).”

“Sayang wala si Captain Alvin [Patrimonio] kasi last time na I was a muse for Purefoods, it was the team ni Alvin,” Cuneta added, as Patrimonio was an incoming third-year pro in 1990.

It’s no secret that some netizens aired their disappointment when it was announced that Cuneta would be Magnolia’s muse for the season opener. But she doesn’t mind all the hate.

“Nothing. They don’t mean anything to me. I’m the one that’s here, and I was chosen by Magnolia. I didn’t volunteer. I’m their major endorser, and I think that’s understandable.”