Lingerie Basketball League (2nd season) sponsored by AND1

[Shoe Session – 8.27.12] – Lingerie Basketball League (2^nd season) sponsored by AND1

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: LBL website/FB fanpage and SOS Photography FB fanpage

When one thinks about women’s basketball, images of WNBA and WNCAA immediately come to mind.  However, quite recently, a new twist to this sporting event now features sexy women clad only in ladies underwear and is now being played in California, USA.  The Lingerie Basketball League – an American basketball league now on its 2^nd season after a successful pioneering run last 2011, features 4 teams of female basketball players. 

Rocking AND1 kicks for the game in Venice Beach.

Last month, the LBL has announced that they have officially teamed up with AND1 in bringing an exciting 2012 season to its fans.  According to the press release (shared from the LBL FB fanpage – image posted below), Nina Kako, President and Founder of the LBL said “It is an honor to have the AND1 brand linked so closely with the LBL. AND1 has an amazing reputation as leaders in the basketball community, and we are confident that this partnership will create robust synergies for both organizations.”

AND1 kicks for the use of the LBL players.

The League is made up currently of 32 female athletes, spread across four teams – the LA Beauties, LA Glam, LA Divas, and LA Starlets.  Find out more about the LBL by checking out their official website at this link.

Upon checking the roster of players (http://lingeriebasketball.com/players), two Filipinas (playing for different teams) are actually part of the League.  Former Philippine Women’s National Basketball Team (Perlas Pilipinas) standout Mae Escobar is the team captain of the LA Starlets while fellow Pinay Jem Prudencio has just joined this year as part of the LA Beauties. 

The games have already started last August 24 and will run until mid-November.  Check out the schedule below to catch their games.

For more info about the LBL, check them out in Twitter (follow @LingerieBball) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lbleague).  Stay tuned to AND1 Philippines for international features and the regular local updates by also following us on Twitter (follow @and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  And that’s the 411, And Juan!

 Pinay Mae Escobar with a picture-perfect lefty jumpshot.

The And1 Empire 2.0 Mids (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 8.24.12] – The And1 Empire 2.0 Mids (performance)

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Mabuhay, AND Juans!  Sole Spotlight for the month of August features the follow up to the groundbreaking Empire Mid line of AND1 – the Empire 2.0.   

Coincidentally, this shoe gets featured on a review on the month named after a Roman emperor (Augustus Caesar), so please pardon the pun - BUILD YOUR EMPIRE indeed.  Posted below some images for everybody’s reference.

 Lace 'em up.

This yet-to-be-released shoe model was part of the care package I received last July courtesy of AND1 US (s/o to Rob Purvy, Becky Cheng, and AJ Vander Woude) and should hopefully reach local shores within late 2012 or early 2013.

What I love most about using this pair for malling/chilling out is that its vibrant blue and yellow highlights (reminiscent of the Golden State Warriors team colors) are definitely a head-turner, plus it’s lighter than its predecessor.  Speaking of its predecessor, check out some comparison images below. 

The Empire 2.0 Mid (right) features a sleeker design, 

but incorporates the same sole as the original.

The Empire 2.0 Mid features a different cut than the 1st Empire Mid.  

It sports a low-top profile instead.

Chillin' like a G.

On the court, I’m very pleased with the way it hugged my feet despite having a low-cut profile.  I’m going out on a limb here, but this shoe just barged right into my top 5 kicks that I’ve ever hooped in, and I’ve hooped in a lot of AND1 pairs already.  There’s something about the combination of perfect fit, low-cut profile, right weight, on-court grip, and L2G tech that makes this shoe a must-cop.

High socks, anyone?

Similar to the AND1 Guardian Mid that I’ve featured in last July’s Sole Spotlight, the Empire 2.0 also features a “stitch-less, no-sew construction for comfort” plus “asymmetrical toe increases support.”  It also has “mesh panels (that) reduce weight and increase ventilation,” much like the previously released Empire Mids, and the full-length airbag that helps reduce impact.  Add L2G tech, and you’re good to go.

More pictures of the shoe below.  The Empire 2.0 Mid is good for players looking for a shoe that is lightweight, responds well to sudden cuts and shifts in direction without sacrificing support, and maximum support for high-impact landings.

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

 The outsole - featuring L2G technology.

It has the same sole as the original Empire Mid 

(varsity red/white colorway, pictured below).

AND1 Ph’s celebrates its 1st anniversary online

[Shoe Session – 8.12.12] – AND1 Ph’s celebrates its 1^st anniversary online

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Greetings, AND Juans!  One year and 100 blog articles ago, AND1 Philippines went online on this blogspot space (Flash: we posted our 1^st Facebook fanpage and Twitter update on August 5, 2011).  Thanks to all of your support, we have steadily grown to more than 1,300 Facebook fans, close to 100 Twitter followers and this blogsite has now reached 40K views!  Check out our very 1^st blogpost by clicking HERE. 

Looking back at the last 12 months, we’ve covered these key updates:

Oct 17, 2011     - And1 2012 footwear and product presentation (read: Sneak Previews!)

Feb 3, 2012       - Double-Double! AND1 signs the Morris twins (Marcus and Markieff) as brand endorsers

Feb 26, 2012     - AND1 endorser Markieff Morris participates in BBVA Rising Stars game (2012 ASW)

March 25.2012 - AND1’s official press release on the signing of the Morris twins as brand endorsers

July 9, 2012      - AND1 2013 Product Preview - Part 1

July 16, 2012    - AND1 2013 Product Preview - Part 2

*Plus AND1 USA’s partnership with the Los Angeles Summer Pro League (SPL) and Philadelphia Mans Basketball League (PMBL).

We’ve also managed to feature famous streetballers  such as Spyda, Helicopter, The Painted Face, Mr. Hangtime (Germany) and Scalia (Malaysia), including an exclusive coverage of the Germany’s Finest 2012 Philippine Tour headlined by Paul Gudde (founder), Lars Meyer, and Fabian Greiser among others.

The Painted Face aka Hollywizzle, Spyda, Helicopter, Mr. Hangtime, 

and Germany's Finest all got featured on AND1 Ph.

    

Aside from that, we were able to post shoe news both local and foreign, including spotlights and performance reviews on different models that are available locally, as well as those that are not easily accessible in local retail.  We acknowledge Relzbach Ventures Inc (shoutouts to Sir Bob and Dickie Bachmann and their tireless Sales and Marketing team) for the updates on local shoe drops thus making it easier for all of us AND1 Juans to track which pair/s to get in the AKT!V outlets.

Lastly, we’ve forged international ties with the AND1 brand teams and distributors from the USA (President Rob Purvy, big ups to Rod Keller, AJ Vanderwoude, Becky Cheng, & Frank Creative’s David Karstad, among others) Germany (s/o Laurent and Max), Taiwan (s/o Vivi), Africa (s/o Bibi & team), Malaysia (s/o Scalia), and Japan (s/o Joe)  as well as providing write ups for AND1-related events in Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, & Venezuela – truly imbibing the brand campaign “No Borders, No Boundaries.  All Ball.”

Shoutouts to some of our frequent collaborators:

USA, Germany, Taiwan, Malaysia & Japan.

Right now, we’re just excited for what the future would bring, especially with AND1’s 20^th anniversary coming up this 2013, new footwear, apparel and gear to be released, and a lot more surprises to come.

As we’ve posted in our very first article – “stay tuned for updates, we’ll keep things fresh and relevant for the regular And1 user, confused shopper, and the usual sneaker head.”  Follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/and1ph.  And that’s the 411, AND Juans!