From serving strong spikes on the court to serving up plates of delectable dishes, DLSU Green Spiker Noel Kampton ventures into the culinary world with his charm. The collegiate superstar traded his jersey for an apron, setting up “Pansit Kampton” at the Agno Food Court.

The newly established restaurant brings a blend of traditional Filipino flavors and modern techniques, making it popular among students and faculty. His intensity and passion for volleyball are reflected in every dish they serve, leaving other restaurants beyond the net.

Meeting the crew

Despite being inexperienced in the food and beverage industry, the outside hitter described the venture as culinary courage and instead assembled an all-star team to elevate the service delivery of the restaurant. In a interview with The LuhSallian, the business owner, Kampton, claimed the title of head chef. “Syempre, kahit ano’ng spike ko sa laro, hindi ko kayang ipasa ang pressure sa pagluluto. If hindi ako ‘yung nagluluto, paano nalang nila sasabihin na masarap ‘yung pagkain?”

(Of course, whatever spike I do in the game, I cannot pass the pressure in cooking. If I am not the one cooking, how will they say that the food is delicious?)

However, the six-foot-two spiker, known for his prowess on and off the court, admits that he needs some assistance from some culinary heavyweights to elevate the customer experience. He asked Poqs Poquita and Eco Adajar if they were ready to hand in their green jerseys to wear sous chef hats instead. “Lumapit ako kay Poqs at Eco [to ask] if gusto nila maging assistants ko sa kusina, para naman mas sumarap yung sini-serve namin. Kasi kung ang setup mo sa kusina ay kasing galing ng mga sets nila Poqs, parang mai-imagine mo, ‘wow, ang taas ko na.’ Makikita mo na sakses ka eh, bigla kang sumakses.” Fortunately, the Lasallian setters were convinced and joined the culinary escapade. “...Buti na lang at na-convince ko yung dalawa sumama sa akin,” he furthered.

(I approached Poqs and Eco to ask if they wanted to be my assistants in the kitchen so that what we serve would be more delicious. Because if your setup in the kitchen is as good as Poqs’ sets, you can imagine, wow, I’m already so high. You can see that you’re successful, and you suddenly become successful. Fortunately, I convinced them to join me.)

To spice up their customer reach and social media buzz, Kampton invited the dynamic duo of TikTokers Russco Jarvina and Nathan Portez to direct the marketing schemes for Pansit Kampton. Armed with social media theatrics, they produced a viral stunt that had everyone tuning in—Portez instructed the server to dub his takeout lunch “five-six,” leading to the hilarious announcement, “Order for five, six po?” There was a frenzy of excitement as DLSU Green Spikers supporters, Lasallians, and curious foodies flocked to Agno to capture what all the “five, six” fuss was about.

Flavorful lineup

Pansit Kampton offers a lineup of dishes that are well executed like a perfect set leading to a powerful spike. Each dish is crafted with the same passion and precision that Kampton applies to the Taraflex. Each ingredient is meticulously selected just like the importance of good timing in volleyball. Whether it is the  “Green Spiker’s Grilled Chicken” or the “Sinigang Serve”, Kampton ensures that every plate is served with attention to detail, with each bite designed to deliver a winning taste. “Ang bawat dish ay parang bawat set. Dapat on point at flawless”, Kampton shares, emphasizing the importance of precision on the court and in the kitchen. 

(Each dish is like every set. It needs to be on-point and flawless.)

Other menu offerings, such as the “Block Party BBQ” and the “Adobo Ace,” take inspiration from Kampton’s dedication to the sport and his team. The tender and grilled “Block Party BBQ” mirrors the power and intensity of a well-executed block, while the savory “Adobo Ace” captures flavor that comes from the process of mastering a craft. “Sa volleyball, hindi lang siya about one person, kung ‘di ang team”, he adds. “Sa pagluluto gano’n din, kada ingredient, kada proseso, ‘yan ang nagpapasarap sa ulam. Kailangan mo ng tamang mga tao, tamang ingredients, at tamang oras para makuha ang tamang lasa”.

(In volleyball, it’s not about one person, but the team. It’s the same with cooking, every ingredient, every process, is what makes a dish delicious. You need the right people, the right ingredients, and the right time to get the perfect flavor.)

From the sizzling “Spike and Sizzle Sisig” to the signature “Green Serve Pansit” and flavor-filled “Pansit Palablock,” each dish is made with the same passion and focus that Kampton is recognized for on the Taraflex. His kitchen crew and teammates aim to deliver each meal with consistency and care. The senior Green Spiker approaches every meal like a match, guaranteeing that every bite delivers a flavor filled with finesse. 

Serving aces 

With Pancit Kampton gaining popularity as the Lasallian’s food staple, students have stormed social media platforms with raving reviews on the Green Spikers’ game-changing menu. Lasallian and self-proclaimed food critic Miggy raved on TikTok, “Bro, grabe, Pancit Palablock is the man. I think kaya ko na palitan si Kampton in the team. Watch out for me, Noel.” However, this review was met with mixed reactions from lumots, emphasizing Kampton’s irreplaceable charm among the Green Spikers and the possible distraction of his new business. 

(Bro, damn, Pancit Palablock is the man. I think I can now replace Kampton in the team. Watch out for me, Noel.) 

On the other hand, even the ever-elusive Coach Ramil de Jesus caved in and sang praises for the superstar’s new restaurant, “Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, sa  28 years ko rito sa La Salle, first time kong makatikim ng ganitong kasarap na Adobo.” He also jokingly remarked about the Green Spikers’ poor service line performance in their last matchup. “Adobo Ace ba ‘yun? Sabi ko nga sa kanya, tamang-tama ‘to. Baka sakaling mag-improve service nila.” 

(I told the kids that in my 28 years here at La Salle, this is the first time I’ve tasted Adobo this good. Was it called the Adobo Ace? I told him, this is just perfect. Hopefully, their service improves too.) 

As students join the hype, more and more customers flock to Pansit Kampton, eager to taste the famous pancit—and maybe even catch a glimpse of the man himself. Lines stretched from Agno all the way to Razon, overwhelming the trio as they struggled to keep up with the surging demand. With Lasallians rallying behind Kampton’s culinary venture, it is safe to say he’s no longer just serving balls on the court—he’s now serving up plates for the future.

This article was published in The LaSallian‘s Spoof 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSSpoof2025.