And1 kicks immortalized in (toy) plastic – Part 2 of 2

[Shoe Session – 12.28.11] - And1 kicks immortalized in (toy) plastic – Part 2 of 2

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Spawn.com (McFarlane toys – Basketball action figures), various sources

Mabuhay, And Juans!  We’re a few days removed from Christmas weekend and slowly easing into 2012 in a few more ticks but for now, I’m continuing the December 26 blog article (click HERE to peep it) that I’ve posted about And1 shoes being made into plastic form by McFarlane Toys. 

Continuing the McFarlane Sports Picks line which produces action figures of notable NBA players since 2002, And1 was still represented thru some brand endorsers such as Big Ben Wallace, Jason Williams, Kevin Garnett, and (for a very brief period) Vince Carter.

In MSP’s Series 7, Big Ben sported the highly recognizable And1 Chosen Mids with his “Fear the ‘Fro” look.  As a side note, And1 also sold bicep bands that Big Ben popularized during his championship run with the Detroit Pistons (2004, versus the LA Lakers in 5 games).

Also part of the same wave of MSP action figures was White Chocolate aka Jason Williams.  While he played for the Memphis Grizzlies, J-Will has been representing the And1 brand hard, and while the shoe on his action figure isn’t exactly an And1 silhouette (the figure was basically just a repaint of the Mike Bibby – SAC Kings action figure), he deserves a spot in this blog post.  After all, who doesn’t love (White) Chocolate?  *winks*

Worth mentioning also in series 7 was The Kid from ‘Sota aka KG in a tomahawk dunk pose (rocking the brand with the 3 stripes?) and Vinsanity aka VC15 in his winning form in the 2000 NBA All Star Game dunk contest.  To be politically correct, VC should have been wearing a white/red And1 Taichi Mid shoe instead of a pair with the swoosh, but he has since signed with them at time of production hence no And1 love for this figure.

Stephon Marbury (after being traded to the NY Knicks) had a re-issued figure for MSP Series 8, still in the Quest Mids but in NYK duds.  I’ve already posted some images of the Quest Mids in Part 1 of this blog feature, so the image below is just the action figure of Starbury in Away NYK colors.

Fast forward to Series 12, where Big Ben Wallace (signed by the Chicago Bulls as a free agent) in a re-issued and re-colored version of his Series 7 action figure.  Wearing an Away CHI jersey, Big Ben still appears to be wearing the same And1 Chosen Mid pair but now with red highlights.

While not exactly an And1 endorser, Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies) gets mentioned in this blog for his appearance in the MSP Series 15 line-up.  Since basically he’s a repaint of the Stephon Marbury action figure, the Conley action figure sports Quest Mids (dominant white, MEM color highlights).

Finally, the Latrell Sprewell action figure was re-issued in his black Minnesota Timberwolves jersey as a McFarlane Club Exclusive.  Interesting to note, the Spree action figure is no longer wearing the Spree Mids (now in Dadas) unlike the NYK version in Series 3.

So there you have it, And Juans.  Hopefully a new And1 pair gets to be featured in another action figure’s feet somewhere down the line via McFarlane Sports Picks.

Requests for future blog features, comments, and reactions are most welcome.  Feel free to email us at and1pinas@gmail.com and please also check out our Facebook fanpage (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  We’re also on Twitter (follow @and1ph) for news, features, and the latest updates about the And1 brand in the Philippines.  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

All-white Taichi Mids and Taichi Lows are still ON SALE!

[Shoe News – 11.29.11] - All-white Taichi Mids and Taichi Lows are still ON SALE!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various sources and FLASH (in store shots)

One of the most iconic And1 silhouettes ever made, the Taichi model has been re-released in various colorways over the course of its decade-old existence. From white/reds that Vince used in the 2000 ASG Dunk Contest (Larry Hughes wore them that same night too, in white/black CW) to possibly every color combination that would put Skittles to shame. However, I’m very partial to its all-white colorway, and I personally recommend getting a pair while it is still locally available (just got a pair of the Taichi Lows last week).

I know I’ve already written a Taichi blog article last August (click HERE), and that featured a price point that even went lower as of this writing.. so that just means now is the best time to purchase either a Taichi Low for chilling (currently at Php 2095), or a Taichi Mid for regular ballin’ (down from Php 2795 to Php 2395).

Posted below is a pic of the all-white Taichi models (Low and Mid). Those Taichi Lows are absolutely perfect to match with a pair of And1 shorts, or some loose fit denims. So don’t forget to check out your nearest And1 / AKT!V store to find out if they still carry your size. Definitely a must-cop.

Just copped a Taichi Low pair courtesy of Joe Hook Up. White/white.

Happy (belated) birthday, Latrell “Spree” Sprewell and Ben “Big Ben” Wallace!

[And1 Baller Birthday – 09.27.11] - Happy (belated) birthday, Latrell “Spree” Sprewell and Ben “Big Ben” Wallace!

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Various (NBA / GettyImages.com / various sources)

Former NBA player (1992-2005) Latrell Sprewell celebrated his birthday last September 8 (born 1970, 41 this year). He played for 3 NBA teams in his professional basketball career (Golden State, New York, and Minnesota).

Sneakerheads remember his stint with the NY Knicks most prominently due to his And1 kicks which matched his brash, energetic play and ultimately gave NBA-cred to the And1 brand back in the late 90's-early 2000's.

Among his most memorable And1 pairs include Finger Roll Mid, Mad Game Select Mid, Taichi Mid (various CWs), 2Chi Mid, and of course, the Spree Mid (which also came out in Lows.)

For those who no longer remember the player simply known as "Spree", his career highlights include 4 All-Star game selections, was All NBA 1st team in 1994, and also made it the All-NBA Defensive 2nd team the same year.

Spree's shots in And1 kicks below:

(And1 Finger Roll)

(Battling down love versus "The Glove" in And1 Spree Mid)

(And1 Mad Game Select Mid)

(And1 Taichi Mids)

Another September birthday boy is former four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year awardee, Ben Wallace (born September 10, 1974, now 37). Known for being one of the most feared shotblockers and rebounders for the Detroit squad that won the NBA title back in 2004, Big Ben repped And1 proudly in the No Pain, No Game training series as well as having his own signature pair, the And1 Chosen Mids.

Still currently playing for the NBA team Detroit Pistons (second stint), Big Ben also plied his wares for Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers. His most memorable And1 pairs include the Rekanize Mid, 2Chi Mid, and of course, the Chosen Mid.

Big Ben's shots in And1 kicks below:

(And1 Rekanize Mid)

(And1 2Chi Mid)

(And1 Chosen Mids)

It is interesting to note that both players played in the NBA finals while wearing And1 (Spree and the NY Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 lockout-shortened season, while Big Ben won against the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers in 2004).

Happy, happy belated birthday, And1 ballers!

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.

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.

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).