iWant serves coming-of-age sports dramedy ‘Love at First Spike’

iWant Originals brings an exciting new serve to its lineup with its first original series this year, “Love at First Spike,” a coming-of-age sports romantic dramedy that explores one’s identity, second chances, and friendship set against the vibrant world of high school volleyball.

The series offers a fresh take on high school life, capturing the firsts that define adolescence: first heartbreak, first win, and first step toward self-discovery, delving deeper into issues of gender norms in sports, social acceptance, and the pressures of being a student-athlete.

Leading the cast of this new series are “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” housemate Emilio Daez, “Beach Bros” lead and internet personality Sean Tristan, and “PBB Otso” ex-housemate Reign Parani shedding light on the themes of identity, acceptance, and teamwork, all wrapped in the electric highs and heartache of high school life.

The eight-episode series centers on the story of Uno (Daez), a top basketball varsity captain at Brixton High, whose future is thrown off-course after a violent incident during a game gets him removed from the team. Desperate to keep his athletic scholarship, Uno tries out for the only varsity team still open: the school’s struggling boys’ volleyball team, composed entirely of out and proud LGBTQIA+ members.

Tensions rise as Jared (Tristan), who happened to be Uno’s first best friend from grade school until Uno distanced himself after Jared came out, are forced to work together once again, navigating their shared past while trying to save the boys’ volleyball team from dissolution.

Helping them is Farrah (Parani), Jared’s cousin and the popular captain of the girls’ volleyball team, who has long harbored feelings for Uno. As she supports the team’s efforts and pushes Uno to stay, a potential love triangle begins to form, complicating the already fragile dynamics of the group.

Also joining the series’ all-star lineup are “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” housemate River Joseph, “PBB Gen 11” ex-housemates Dylan Yturalde, Rain Celmar, and Binsoy Namoca, as well as “PBB: Otso” alum Sky Quizon.

Other Kapamilya stars included in the lineup are Jude Hinumdum, Lance Reblando, Bong Gonzales, Andi Abaya, Adrian Alandy, and Meryll Soriano – ready to serve, set, and spike a wide range of emotions in iWantTFC’s new series.

Daez expressed his excitement for landing his first lead role. “Sobrang pinaghihirapan namin na galingan ‘yung volleyball scenes. Talagang pinaghahandaan 'yong seryeng ito. We really did our best, that’s what I can promise. We’re really giving our 110%, sana magustuhan niyo po talaga ito.”

Directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal, known for his films “The Panti Sisters” and “Gameboys,” “Love at First Spike” is one of the headlining and original titles for the iWantTFC relaunch this June, featuring a refreshed user interface and seamless access across devices.