8 Filipino Songs We Think Could Soundtrack ‘Heated Rivalry’
From IV OF SPADES and Sugarfree to Ben&Ben and Pixie Labrado, here are OPM songs to listen to while you immerse yourself in the fiery and icy relationship between Shane and Ilya from the smash-hit sports romance series.
Art by Easel Manes
Art by Easel Manes
As we entered 2026, there’s one show that took over social media unlike any other. Heated Rivalry, originally released on the Canadian streaming service Crave and then HBO Max, is without a doubt an unexpected sensation.
The sports romance dives into the adrenaline-charged world of professional hockey while also focusing on forbidden slow-burn romance that fans can’t get enough of. It stars Hudson Williams as Canadian Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Russian Ilya Rozanov — two Major League Hockey (MLH) stars. On the ice, their rivalry is intense; however, off the rink, the two share a secret, steamy romance that keeps fans on the edge.
The series is both written and directed by Jacob Tierney and is adapted from Rachel Reid’s romance novel of the same name, part of her Game Changers series. The first season chronicles Shane and Ilya’s careers between 2008 and 2017 — as they go through a rollercoaster of high stakes, heartbreaks, and victories.
But like they say, romance wouldn’t be complete without music to accompany every glance, touch, and flutter of emotion. With countless fan edits and online discussions fueled by those hooked. With that, Billboard Philippines lists eight OPM songs that perfectly capture the romance of Shane and Ilya, or “Hollanov,” in Heated Rivalry.
“Burnout” — Sugarfree
Sugarfree‘s timeless hit has long been a staple for expressing longing and heartbreak. In the case of Shane and Ilya’s relationship, “Burnout” perfectly mirrors the push and pull of confronting major emotional changes, feeling exhausted, and enduring the pain of growing apart. Both have navigated the highs and lows of their professional careers, often being pitted against each other. Their love has remained mostly private, shared only between them, while distance and media scrutiny amplify their confusion and tension. Even as their love breaks through the ice — both literally and figuratively — the feeling of burnout is powerfully expressed throughout the track.
“Rough Landing” — Pixie Labrador
This Pixie Labrador is undeniably a song that surprisingly fits the series’ soundtrack. Pixie herself even shared this sentiment on TikTok, singing, “Does it make you happy? / That you’re not sorry / The way I know you like me / When you know I can’t.” The song reflects the dynamics between the characters: Ilya is perceptive and drawn to intimacy, while Shane is unaware of his own feelings and hesitant to let others in. These clashing natures create a push and pull that becomes tense and frustrating.
“kabit” — Dom Guyot
Dom Guyot‘s “kabit” is a quirky, satirical pop/R&B track that explores the moral ambiguity of secret romantic entanglements. It examines societal judgments around human desire and taboo. While cheating is completely absent from the story itself, the song would serve as a comical addition to the soundtrack, perfect for online edits highlighting the two as they navigate their tangled attraction, jealousy, and the confusion stemming from their closeted identities.
“Konsensya” — IV OF SPADES
IV OF SPADES’ “Konsensya” rocks out about the intense yearning and longing for another person, with lyrics that go, “Ako lang ba talaga / O mayro’n kang gusto sa iba / Na hindi mo nakukuha / Mula sa’king binibigay?” Shane and Ilya have been burdened by intense mental pressures on the ice rink while playing professional hockey. With the song packed with emotional intensity, it mirrors how both their professional and personal struggles can sometimes intertwine.
“Maikee’s Letters” — Just Hush
“Maikee’s Letters” by Just Hush has gained renewed attention thanks to viral TikTok edits. The song explores the theme of a secret romance, highlighting doubts, criticism, and negativity from others. It centers on the narrator reassuring their partner that, despite everything, it’s the two of them against the world. Lyrics in one of the verses go, “Ikaw at ako lamang ang makakaalam / Kung ano ang dapat na gawin / Sa mga problema’t suliranin (Natin) / Hayaan na’ng naiinggit (Basta’t mahigpit) / Ang yakap mo sa’kin, ‘wag mo silang pansinin / ‘Pagkat ‘di nila alam kung anong mayro’n sa’ting dalawa.”
“Paninindigan Kita” — Ben&Ben
“Paninindigan Kita” by Ben&Ben speaks for itself, as the indie-folk band echoes the sentiments of its chorus: “Paninindigan kita oo / Mamahalin kitang buong buo / Kahit sa pagtanda ako’y sa’yo.” The track centers on how love can perservere even as the years go by. With Shane and Ilya’s years-long push-and-pull romance, the song mirrors their unwavering love for each other, despite the tumultuous twists and turns over time.
“Hanggang sa Huli” – Alisson Shore
Alisson Shore‘s 2018 track is all about the desire to stay and hold onto a relationship despite the hardships and obstacles that come into the picture. It talks about staying until the very end and fighting through it all. “Hanggang sa huli / Mga problema’y ‘san’tabi / Ipagpaliban ang gabi / Sulitin bawa’t sandali kahit ‘di na ‘to madali,” the chorus goes. With miscommunication and allowing the media and other people to dictate their personal lives, Shane and Ilya have had a towering mountain to climb as they work on themselves and their bond as the years go by.
“Ikaw Lang” – NOBITA
NOBITA‘s “Ikaw Lang” is what we can describe as a contemporary kundiman ballad that is the perfect needle drop to Shane and Ilya finally having their moment together. The lyrics of the track says it all,“At sa iyong paglalambing, ako ay nahulog din / ‘Di ko alam kung ano ang gagawin / ‘Di ko alam kung saan titingin / Halik sa labi, tinginan natin / ‘Di akalaing mahuhulog ka sa ‘kin.” Despite the highs and lows in and out of the ice rink, Shane and Ilya have developed a deep romantic relationship that is a testament to love conquering all.