Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Scaling New Heights with SCALIA


[Streetball’s Finest  – 7.31.12] – Scaling New Heights with SCALIA

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Scalia Nethanial (via email and Facebook)

It’s been quite some time since we featured a baller in And1 Ph’s blog series “Streetball’s Finest”, and now we shift the spotlight to one of our Asian streetball family.  I’ve managed to get in touch with Scalia Nethanial aka SCALIA, one of Malaysia’s top freestylers and local fan favorite who also happens to be half-Filipino.  Born in Malaysia but with his mother hailing from Pangasinan, this 17 year old ball-handling phenom was born on December 20, 1994.  


Popular in Malaysia for his freestyling tricks, Scalia was gracious enough to answer some of my questions I sent via his email, and here’s what our fellow AND Juan has got to share:


Flash: How young were you when you 1st started with basketball?  How about with freestyling?
Scalia: “I think I was 8 when my uncle built a hoop at the playground in front of my house. From there, I just kept playing ball. I started playing streetball in 2006 when my brother bought the AND1 Mixtape Tour Asia Pacific DVD. I loved every part of it. The dunks, the dribbles, it was amazing.”


Flash: What are some of the tournaments/leagues/events that you have participated in?
Scalia: “I participated in many basketball events when I was in high school and won a couple of them. My biggest achievement in basketball was probably when I won the biggest streetball event in Malaysia - "AND1 Malaysia In Search Of Streetballer 2010.” I was in tears when they announced my name. Best part about it was "The Professor" (Grayson Boucher) was judging the event. It was a day that I’ll never forget.
I started touring with AND1 Malaysia in 2011. I was also doing commercials with MILO and some other companies. I continued spreading the movement by performing Freestyle Basketball at many places.  Recently, I was invited to perform at a TV show - it was my first live TV appearance. I’m currently with AND1 Malaysia, we tour locally. I can't wait to see what happens from here.”

Scalia (#33) graces a MILO print ad.

Flash: Who are your influences in playing basketball and in freestyling?
Scalia: "Hot Sauce", Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and "The Professor".

Flash: Which AND1 shoe is your personal favorite?
Scalia: “(The) Lo Qi Downtime is my favorite!”

Scalia in the AND1 Downtime Lows.

Flash: What do you think of our local talent, the Flip Ballaz, Ballers Republic, and Styla?
Scalia: “I love Filipino ballers.  1 of my faves is Lil Wizard.  Shoutout to Ballers Republic as well, I’ve seen some of their videos. They're good!”

Flash: Any plans of visiting the Philippines?  Would you consider making a freestyle video with fellow Filipino freestylers?
Scalia: “The last time I was in the Philippines was back in 2007.  I’ve always wanted to go back there, I miss the Philippines so much!  If God wills it, I’ll be going there this December (2012).  Can't promise anything yet though.
(On making a video with Pinoy freestylers) 
YES! I would love to do a video with Lil Wizard (Nino Ventura). "Lets make it happen bro!"

A Scalia - Lil Wizard collab video?  It could happen soon.

Flash: What's in store for your future?  What are your plans as far as basketball and freestyling?
Scalia:  “It has always been the same plan, to continue inspiring (people).  I would also love to tour and perform worldwide 1 day.”

Flash: Any final message/s for your fans across the world and to the Philippines?
Scalia:  “My final message to everyone out there is…"Always continue learning and never limit yourself. Be happy whenever you're doing something you love . Whenever you fall , rise above and conquer because win or lose , the ultimate prize is being able to do it!"”


You can catch Scalia online following him in Twitter (@RealScalia) or thru his Facebook fanpage (Facebook.com/RealScalia).  He also has an Instagram account (scalianethanial).

I’ll try to feature other local and international streetball players soon, and so feel free to send an email to and1pinas@gmail.com for your suggestions on who you want to be featured next.  Please check out and LIKE our Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for more news, spotlights, and the latest updates about the And1 brand in the Philippines.  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

Some Scalia freestyle videos below [click to play]:

..(with some shoutouts from AND1 Philippines' Flash)

Friday, July 27, 2012

AND1 Africa FIBA 3x3 Streetball Tournament

[Foreign Flava – 7.27.12] – AND1 Africa FIBA 3x3 Streetball Tournament


Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: And1 Africa (c/o Bibi Moeketsi)

AND1 Africa will be hosting a FIBA 3-on-3 Streetball Tournament in Durban this weekend, from July 28-29.  The venue will be in Howard College and will run from 8AM-6PM for both days.  As indicated in the poster that I’ve shared below, the entrance fees for teams is R50 for Under 18s & R100 for the 18s and Over.  Spectators are free to watch the games. 




Check out the AND1 Africa social media sites – official website (http://www.and1africa.com), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/And1Africa), & Twitter (@And1_Africa) for more news & updates.

Shout outs to our AND1 Africa counterpart Bibi Moeketsi for the heads up.  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for local and international news & updates and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

AND1 Germany Summerleague Streetball Tour

[Foreign Flava – 7.26.12] – AND1 Germany Summerleague Streetball Tour

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: And1 Germany (c/o Laurent Burkart)


AND1 Germany has shared some images from their Summerleague Streetball Tour and I’ve rehosted them below.  Notable participants include Slam Dunk champ Salu Benjamin Tadi (aka Mr. Hangtime), German national team player Blanchard “Obi” Obiango, Hannes Osterwalder, and resident AND1 Germany spinner DJ Silence.






Hannes Osterwalder shows off his hops.


Mr. Hangtime lifts off.

Obi elevates and detonates!

Salu vs. Obi.

DJ Silence spins for AND1 Germany.

A lot more pictures are posted online at the AND1 Germany Facebook page and for more news, updates, and information from that side of the world, you can find them at http://www.facebook.com/and1germany.

Again, shout outs to our frequent collaborator Laurent for sharing the info.  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) for local and international news & updates and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The And1 Guardian Mids (performance)


[Sole Spotlight – 7.25.12] – The And1 Guardian Mids (performance)


Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls


This month’s Sole Spotlight article shifts its focus on a yet-to-be-released shoe model that could make its way to local retail - the AND1 Guardian Mid.  Posted below some images for everybody’s reference.


Got two pairs of this model (this one is in metallic dark grey/black/red, while the other pair being in Energy Blue/black/orange) some two weeks ago courtesy of AND1 US (s/o to Rob Purvy, Becky Cheng, and AJ Vander Woude).

[Slightly off-topic] The last time I used an AND1 pair with ankle straps was back in 2009, with a championship run in the School U Mids.  I usually prefer low-cut to mid-cut models but during that time I just thought of using a high-top pair with an ankle strap and was never disappointed with its performance.

Since then, I never thought I would ever use another AND1 pair with an ankle strap feature (simply because there weren’t any models that incorporated that in its design) but this one sure proved me wrong.  The AND1 Guardian Mid takes a lot of different elements together from previously released models, meshes it (pardon the pun), and then takes it to a whole new level.

This model features a “stitch-less, no-sew construction for comfort” and the aforementioned ankle support strap that “…locks the foot in place.”   It also has “mesh panels (that) reduce weight and increase ventilation,” much like the previously released Empire Mids, including the full-length airbag that helps reduce impact. 

More pictures of the shoe below.  The Guardian Mid is a silhouette that you can use either indoors or outdoors, will give you maximum support for the ankle and heel, and on its own, is really eye-catching.  You can also click here to check out a Japanese blog that has images of the Guardian Mid in other colorways.

A closer look at the ankle strap.  
The "hidden" Player logo is a nice touch.

Since the pairs that I got were wear-test samples, it might vary a bit from the commercial version.  I’ve also included a picture of the Guardian Mid below in Team USA colors, made by AND1 for the 2012 London Olympics (this will be featured in the upcoming SLAM/Kicks magazine, likely September issue).


Sales Sample, Not for Re-sale.

Team USA colorway for the 2012 London Olympics

Check out more of Sole Spotlight in the succeeding months, only from And1 Ph.  ONE!


The "OKC" colorway, as I would like to put it.  Could be sold locally, more updates soon.

Monday, July 23, 2012

AND1 Brasil gear featured in the 2012 Red Bull King Of The Rock Tournament Finals

[Foreign Flava – 7.23.12] – AND1 Brasil gear featured in the 2012 Red Bull King Of The Rock Tournament Finals
Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: And1 Brasil / And1 USA (via email)

Sharing a lot of images of Brasil ballers wearing the game gear produced by And1 Brasil for the 2012 Red Bull King Of The Rock Tournament Finals.  Hosted by Max DMN, the finals were held last July 19 in Sao Paulo (Ibirapuera Park).


"Oh you fancy!"

Among the four semi-finalists (Tikim, C5, Souza, and Leandro), Rocinha Favela-born Leandro Lima aka “The Discreet” won 1st place and the right to represent Brazil in Alcatraz and a chance to be called this year’s King Of The Rock.

Big thanks go to AND1 USA for sharing these exclusive images from AND1 Brasil (shoutouts to Renato Augusto).  Click HERE for the Red Bull article from their official website and I’ve also included a link to a video highlight for everyone to check out (view video link HERE).

She got game.

See ya later!

Cross 'em up.

"Can't check me!"


Please LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) and follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) for local info, news, and updates, as well as the occasional international And1 news.  And that’s the 411, And Juan!