Kobe Bryant turns 33!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 08.23.11] – Kobe Bryant turns 33!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Various (NBA / Wilddonkey.com)

Former NBA Most Valuable Player (2007-2008) and current Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant celebrates his birthday today (born August 23, 1978). He recently visited the Philippines last July 2011 and is a current ambassador for the brand with the swoosh.
A little known fact about the Black Mamba’s kicksology is that he wore an And1 model in some NBA games in 2006 (vs the PHX Suns, the LA Clippers, & the GS Warriors, among others). This was right after his Adidas shoe deal, he tried on different shoe models from various brands and among them, was an And1 shoe.

That silhouette.. is the And1 Gametime Mid.

So while Kobe did not officially endorse the And1 brand, AND1 Ph still recognizes one of the best basketball players of his generation on his special day. Peep the pics below of pre-KB kicks, as well as close up images of his preferred shoe, the And1 Gametime Mid.

And oh yeah, HAPPY 33rd, Number 24! ONE.

The And1 Taichi TGR Lows

[Sole Spotlight – 08.22.11] – The And1 Taichi TGR Lows

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Relzbach Ventures, NBA Getty Images, & FLASH (in-store shots)




Did the usual shoe rounds last weekend and I got to say, the And1 Taichi TGR Lows are slowly growing on me. The previously released TGR Mids (I saw some pairs in White/Black, White/Black, White/White, and Black/Red CWs) were worn and endorsed by then-LA Clipper Steve Blake (and current LA Laker Steve Blake). As a sidenote, Blake wore the And1 Taichi TGR Lows as a member of the Portland Trailblazers (in an all-red PE).

Now available in low-top versions, the And1 Taichi TGR are recently released in two color variants (Cement/Dark Grey/White and White/White/Silver). These are still sold in And1 retail outlets nationwide (including SM Department Store, Olympic Village, Toby’s and Royal Sporting House branches) for Php 3,495.00/pair.

Images below of Steve Blake in And1 Taichi TGRs, and some pictures of TGR Lows taken during my store runs.

A new (AND1) STORM is comin’..

[Shoe News – 08.22.11] – A new STORM is comin’.. The And1 Storm Mid Black/Black/Dark Grey is due to drop this September

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Relzbach Ventures, Rakuten (http://global.rakuten.com/), & FLASH (in-store shots)

You’ve seen the two previous And1 Storm Mid colorways (images below: Black/Yellow/Yellow and White/Asphalt/Black), but this upcoming Black/Black/Dark Grey CW is absolutely perfect for balling outdoors. In my honest opinion, you don’t have to worry about scruff marks or scratches on the light-colored section of the previous releases while playing in your neighborhood courts. You can simply concentrate on your game on these blackout versions and whip up a storm with your A-game.

Retailing for Php 4995, this silhouette showcases a visible L2G tech air unit at the heel section. Expect these all-black pairs to arrive by mid-September at your nearest And1 retail store. Props to Relzbach Ventures, Inc. (And1 local distributor) for the heads up.

Cyrus “Skyrus” Baguio turns 31!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 08.19.11] – Cyrus “Skyrus” Baguio turns 31!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Various sources

Current Alaska Aces guard and And1 endorser Cyrus Baguio celebrates his 31st birthday today. Aside from the natal day greetings, And1 Ph would also like to highlight his kicksology, ranging from And1 Taichi Mids to ME8 mids.

The former UST stalwart previously suited up for PBA teams Red Bull, Air21 Express, and Baranggay Ginebra Kings before being traded to the Alaska Aces for Willie Miller.


Known for his acrobatic lay-ups and daredevil drives to the hoop, Baguio also wore And1 pairs while playing for the Powerade Team Pilipinas. Check out some Youtube highlight mixes by clicking HERE and HERE, and some images below of Skyrus rocking And1 kicks.

The And1 ME8 Empire Mid is going to hit local retail Very Soon!

[Shoe News – 08.10.11]

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls Images: And1.com & Solecollector.com (Hoopchina/Woody8)

Hey guys, just got official word that the And1 ME8 Empire Mid will soon reach Philippine shores as part of the Q3/Q4 2011 local releases.

Personally, I’m eyeing that varsity red CW given the heel design has the ME8 logo instead of the faceless And1 silhouette. That gives the model a little more distinction that makes you say “Yep, it’s a Monta Ellis pair alright!”.

For now, check out the lowdown from the official And1 site, or click HERE and HERE to read Solecollector’s previews of the upcoming ME8 Empire Mid.

Stay tuned to And1 Ph for more updates re: available colorways and price point of Monta’s new kicks (lock out or no lock out, these kicks are sure to drop).

And1 Taichi Mids are still ON SALE for Php 2799

[Shoe News – 08.10.11] - And1 Taichi Mids are still ON SALE for Php 2799

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images: Various sources

Fellas, make sure you don’t miss out on the And1 Taichi Mids still currently on markdown price of Php 2799 in local retail.

Being an iconic And1 silhouette (yep, that ‘s the pair that Rafer “Skip” Alston used when he terrorized NY ballparks and the exact same model that Vince Carter rocked during the 2000 NBA ASG when he won the Slam Dunk contest), it’s a steal at that price point!


The Taichi Mids are still available in these colorways:

- White/Varsity Red (arguably the most popular CW for this model, Vince Carter yelled “It’s OVAH!” wearing a pair of these.)
- White/Black (Skip used this CW while playing for the NJ Nets)
- White/Royal Blue
- Black/Black (Jason Williams wore this during his stint with the Miami Heat)
- Black/Varsity Red

Speaking of Taichi Mid colorways, peep our Facebook fanpage album dedicated to this shoe model by clicking HERE …you know, just in case you missed it. Don't forget to LIKE the And1 Ph FB fanpage and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph).

And1 PH Goes LIVE!

[Shoe Session – 08.08.11] Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls Hi And1 fans. Today marks our very first blog entry (auspicious date, 8.8.11), and we’ve got very exciting things coming soon. This blog aims to feature the And1 brand in the Philippines from a fan’s standpoint.