WATCH: Kiefer receives shoes, personal note from LeBron

MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena received yet more inspiration to pursue his basketball dreams after receiving a personal gift from Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.

On his Instagram, "The Phenom" posted a video of himself receiving a gift from "The King."

Ravena got a pair of Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 10s, along with a signed message from James.

"You want to become the first Filipino player to make it to the NBA," Ravena read. "Don't let the dream go."

In his caption, Ravena also posted portions of James' message: "Be the strong, determined, resilient person you have always been. Destroy the doubts that the world continues to throw at you. Conquer the world."

Ravena, who concluded his UAAP career last year, has spent the past few months training in the United States.

He was invited for a tryout with the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League, and is still waiting for a callback.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kobe Bryant's Jordan collection sold for over P11M

The auction for Kobe Bryant's entire Jordan collection ended today and it fetched an insane amount of money.

The collection sold for $240,100 or just a little short of 11.3 million pesos. Wow.

Over the weekend, Michael Jordan gave Kobe Bryant a complete set of the Air Jordan collection from I-XXX in both black and white.

A second black set, with the Jordan 3 and Jordan 8 in Lakers colors (Kobe wore the 3 and 8 in 2003), in Kobe's size 14 were then auctioned off for the benefit of the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.

After 24 hours and 37 bidders, a total $240,100 has been raised from the opening bid of $100,000.
Check the full set here.

This story was originally published on the ABS-CBN Sports website.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com 

Diadora Titan II – Spring 2015 Releases

Diadora has been lacing Europe with plenty of solid editions of their retro runners in general release and collab form for years now, and it looks like we finally are going to start getting treated to the reissued classics here in the States on a regular basis, as well. Hitting US shores is the Diadora Titan II, dropping in three striking looks in your pick of royal/white, navy/red, and white/blue/green, each built in premium suede and mesh. Will Diadora start giving the usual names dropping retro runners in America some serious competition? Only time will tell, but if the Italian sneaker brand keeps offering up releases like these three Titan IIs, the answer should be yes. Check them all out here, and then look for them at select sneaker boutiques like Sneaker Politics now.

source: sneakernews.com

Nike LeBron 12 “Double Helix” – Available Early on eBay

It’s All-Star Weekend and the LeBron 12 is dominating headlines this Friday. There’s that Zoom Generation inspired Wheat LeBron 12 EXT aesthetic, his Red October PE, and now we get a better look at a pair that’s arriving at retailers later this month in the LeBron 12 Double Helix. From the initial looks of this pair, people had this colorway pegged as the first official Cavs referencing retail release, that was until you got a look at the lining and the Hyperposite on the medial side, where a vibrant Hyper Pink clashes with the Merlot base, and that yellow is more of a Volt than anything else. What do you think of the latest colorway? They’ll be available February 28th, but you can always grab the pair early on eBay.



Nike LeBron 12 “Double Helix”
Color: Merlot/Metallic Silver-Volt
Style Code: 684593-607
Release Date: 02/28/15
Price: $200

source: sneakernews.com

Cavaliers' Irving launches new Nike shoe

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving became the latest Nike signature athlete with the unveiling of the KYRIE 1 shoe, which he helped design.

Nike and Irving launched KYRIE 1 in a New York City press conference Wednesday night.

"As a kid, imagining that I'd be in the Nike family with my own shoe was something that seemed almost unattainable," Irving said in a statement.

With the unveiling of the shoe, he joined the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James on Nike’s current roster of signature basketball athletes.

Irving is Nike basketball’s first signature athlete in six years. He was recently named the MVP of the FIBA World Cup and NBA All-Star Game this past year. He was also the Rookie of the Year in 2012.

The Cleveland basketball star worked with designer Leo Chang on the shoe, which has Nike Zoom Air cushioning, 360-degree dynamic traction and hyperfuse construction for lockdown stability.

"Now that I've received the KYRIE 1, I'm honored to represent Nike and its next generation of players," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

LOOK: Nike to release 'Slam Dunk' collection

MANILA -- International sports brand Nike has recently unveiled a new pair of sneakers, whose designs are inspired by the highly popular manga and anime series "Slam Dunk."

In an announcement made on Nike's official website last Thursday, the company said the characters created by manga artist Takehiko Inoue will be featured on a new pair of Jordans, as part of the Jordan Brand x Slam Dunk collaboration.



"I have been hugely inspired by Michael Jordan’s game, as well as his attitude. It’s been a great honor to have this opportunity," Inoue was quoted on the website.

"At first, he was someone from a different planet — he could stay in the air longer than anybody else. Then I began to see him as someone who always encourages you to set a vision and challenge yourself to achieving it," he added.

The Air Jordan VI, the more expensive of the two, will sport Sakuragi's -- the main protagonist of the mentioned manga series -- jersey number on the outside heel and some iconic scenes from the manga.

The Jordan Super.Fly3 sneakers, on the other hand, will feature all-new illustrations that continue Sakuragi's story, which according to Nike, will "never be published."

"Using a legacy shoe like the iconic Air Jordan VI, as well as our latest performance model in the Jordan Super.Fly 3, served as the perfect vehicle to highlight the past and present — both in the product and the manga storyline,” said Gemo Wong, energy director for Jordan Brand.

The collection will also include a red T-shirt with Sakuragi’s player number 10 in large elephant-print numerals and a white T-shirt with a sketch of the player and a nod to his fictional high school, Shohoku.

The Slam Dunk collection was launched in select Asian markets on Saturday, to be followed by a global release on November 1.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Converse sues over iconic Chuck Taylor shoe

NEW YORK - Worn by millions all over the world, the Converse sneaker is a slice of Americana beloved by everyone from British public school boys to rap stars, from aged rockers to athletes.

But popularity has a dark side.

Converse Inc is complaining that more than two dozen companies are knocking off, mass-producing and selling imitations of its legendary Chuck Taylor shoe. And it's had enough.

On Tuesday, the Nike subsidiary filed lawsuits against 31 companies for breach of trademark. Among the defendants are Wal-Mart, Ralph Lauren Corporation and Tory Burch.

Of the 31 companies, four are based in China, two in Canada, one in Australia, one in Italy and one in Japan.

Converse is also demanding that the International Trade Commission ban imports, distribution, sale and use of imitation Converse footwear in the United States.

"We welcome fair competition, but we do not believe companies have a right to copy the Chuck's trademarked look," said Jim Calhoun, president and CEO of Converse Inc.

The Chuck made its debut on US basketball courts in 1917 and since then, Converse says it has sold one billion pairs of the shoe worldwide that bear the Asserted Trademark.

It claims to have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising the shoes, famous for their star, stripes and rubber toe tip, and acknowledges benefitting from extra publicity reaped from books, magazines, newspapers, movies and TV shows.

In one of the suits, Converse demands a trial by jury at the federal court in Brooklyn against Kmart Corporation.

It accuses the Illinois firm of trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution and unfair business practices.

The suit accuses Kmart of selling, distributing, promoting and advertising "confusingly similar" footwear and "intentionally and willfully" violating Converse's trademark rights.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Nike unveils PH-inspired Kobe shoes on May 23

CALIFORNIA -- Nike will be releasing the new Kobe Bryant basketball shoes this month that were inspired by the Philippines.

The Nike Kobe 9 EM Philippines was created by Filipino-American, Eric Godo.

The color for the banig pattern of the shoe was inspired by painted barangay courts and serves as a reminder of where the Pinoy's love of basketball began.

The clever part of the shoe is its sole where there is an imprint of "tsinelas", or slippers, which represents how Filipinos will play basketball in any type of footwear.

The Kobes will be released on May 23 for $180.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Crocs is successful in Philippines, Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Whenever someone mentions Crocs, a image of brightly colored rubber clogs comes to mind.

But not many may be aware that the Crocs brand doesn't just have clogs, but a surprisingly wide array of styles. There are stylish wedge sandals and boots to suede loafers and sneakers, which are stylish and as comfortable as the clogs everyone loves.

Asians, especially Filipinos, have embraced Crocs with open arms. Asia now accounts for 41% of the company's total sales.

"Crocs opened their first store in Singapore in October 2005 and we have never looked back. In 2012, Asia accounted for 41% of Crocs’ $1.1 billion total sales," Tom Ramar, vice president for wholesale sales at Crocs Singapore, said in an interview with ABS-CBNnews.com.




Why are Crocs so popular in Asia?

"I think primarily it’s because we have developed new styles that are distinct to Crocs and yet very fitting for the Asian lifestyle. Asians live for comfort, and they can embrace that through Crocs without giving up their love for fashion. In Asia, Crocs is a lifestyle brand. It’s more than just a shoe; it’s something that can actually be a part of their daily lives," Ramar said

A perfect example is the Crocs Leigh wedge, which is stylish enough for a fashion-conscious woman to wear but extremely comfortable to wear all day long. The Leigh wedge was launched in 2009 and still remains one of its best-selling style.

"Women want to look good which is the reason why they choose the highest heels but often sacrifice their comfort. We at Crocs wish to provide them with both: style and comfort... More and more consumers look at us and can’t believe that the lines we’ve been launching are actually Crocs. Our Leigh Wedge Collection and our Beach Line Collection are examples of how much we have evolved in becoming a more fashionable brand that you can take to both work and play," Ramar said.

Another factor for Crocs' success in Asia is the weather. "Most of the Asian countries that we are in have warm, tropical weather that is perfect for Crocs. It’s not unusual for people to be in something casual at any given time of the year," Ramar said.

Crocs has been in the Philippines for 8 years. Asked how many Crocs has been sold here so far, Ramar said, "All I can say is that we have made a lot of feet happy since we arrived in the Philippines eight years ago. We have definitely brought comfort to a large number of people. Globally, we have sold over 200 million pairs in over 90 countries."

Ramar noted Filipino consumers are very enthusiastic about the brand, and are always active on Crocs' accounts on social networking sites.

"They are very responsive when new products come out, and are very vocal about how they feel. This has helped us usher in a new era of Crocs style and design. The Philippine market is discerning, and we appreciate that they are willing to spend for the quality of Crocs," he said.

Aside from the clogs, consumers also love the Crocs Beach Line and the recently launched Fall Holiday Collection.

"We have seen a rise in the sales of loafers for men, such as the l Boat Shoes and the Walu Lounger. For women, our Huarache collection and our stylish wedges have proved to be very popular," Ramar said.

The Fall Holiday collection features the Duet Sports Clog, Crocs Retro Sneaker, A-Leigh Closed Toe Wedge, Crocband Airy Sling Back, Gianna Glitter Flat and Thermalucent Snake Print Flat.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kobe's latest shoe inspired by Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant’s latest Nike shoe, the Kobe 9 Elite, was partly inspired by Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

The Kobe 9 Elite, which will be available globally in February 2014, is Bryant’s first high top shoe in a while, as his last five shoes were mid-cut.

It looks somewhat like a boxing boot, and Bryant told Joaquin Henson of The Philippine Star that this was deliberate.

“Manny was getting ready for the (Juan Manuel) Marquez fight two years ago, and I stopped by his training camp,” Bryant told Henson.

“I watched him spar and train, watched him moving, looking at his footwork, trying to learn from him, how he uses his footwork,” he added. “I asked myself, I wonder if I could move like Manny in a basketball shoe that looks like his boxing boot.”

“The basketball shoe had to be really like Manny’s boxing boot. I wanted the high-tops to be responsive to the movement of the ankles.”

Nike creative director Eric Avar told Henson that it took over two years to develop and produce the Kobe 9 Elite.

“He (Bryant) wanted high-tops to play like low-tops, and referenced Manny,” Avar said.

Bryant is returning to action today against the Toronto Raptors after suffering an Achilles injury last April.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jordan Team 1 – Upcoming Colorways

Among the many Jordan retros coming up in 2014 will be one of the more highly regarded team shoes from back in the early days of the Jumpman brand.  The Jordan Team 1 will live up to its name with a variety of team-friendly colorways, including six more pictured here today in addition to the styles we’d seen earlier.  There’s nothing crazy here given the TB orientation of this shoe itself, but we do get a couple of different blocking patterns and material combinations to keep things fresh.  Let us know which of these makes the best first impression once you’ve seen them all below, and stick with Sneaker News for updates on these and all Jordan release dates.

source: sneakernews.com