And1 Entourage Mids – The "5 ELEMENTS" pack

[Shoe News – 10.13.12] – And1 Entourage Mids – The "5 ELEMENTS" pack

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: AND1 Basketball (via e-mail)

Hey AND Juans..some breaking news courtesy of AND1 USA.  As per their recent e-mail, they will be releasing soon five (5) unique colorways of the upcoming Entourage Mids, and it will be called the 5 Elements pack.  Check out the group image below:

Earlier images of the Entourage Mid showed an all-black version.  However, the 5 Elements packs derives its very relatable concept from Oriental roots and as for the designs used,  AND1 USA further explains:

“This is from Eastern Philosophy, Life and Martial Arts.  Earth, Water, Metal (gold,) Wood and Fire are the elements and represent different forms of energy that constantly flow between each other. 

We have put the Kanji symbol for each element on the heel of each SKU in addition to doing these in dynamic trend colors that tie back to each element.  In Japan, and possibly Korea, the Element symbols also indicate the days of the week from Tuesday to Saturday as well when used in conjunction with the kanji for day (日).  Fire, water, wood, gold/metal, and earth each represent Tuesday through Saturday respectively. We use this to show the depth of the 5 elements story, as well as how it is applicable cross-culturally in Asia.”

Personally, I think this is reminiscent of the Taichi Mid concept back in the early 2000’s (and recently back in 2010, with the introduction of the Taichi TGRs) – wherein Eastern philosophy is one of the key influences in producing excellent basketball sneakers of which AND1 is known for. 

Furthermore, I like the use of the number five (5) in this set – which for me represents the five players inside the basketball court.  While maintaining a unique set of skills for the position that each plays, every basketball player on the court has to mesh with the team’s concept of playing together towards a winning direction.  How’s that for a basketball tie-in?

I will try to get more info about the retail price and actual release date.  For now, check out more individual images below:

If you want more And1 news and updates, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com.  And that’s the 411, And Juan.

The AND1 Entourage Mid in Black/Black colorway, 

as shared in the official Facebook fanpage.

Mae Escobar: Lingerie Basketball’s Brown Sugar (Part 1 of 2)

[Streetball’s Finest  –  10.12.12] – Mae Escobar: Lingerie Basketball’s Brown Sugar (Part 1 of 2)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Mae Escobar (via Facebook and e-mail)

This month’s edition of Streetball’s Finest (which spotlights some of the best ballers worldwide) marks the first time that we get to feature a female baller.  It’s not very often that we get to show love to our Pinay hoopsters, and everybody really needs to be aware that basketball is indeed a sport for everyone, not just the fellas.

 

Now a couple of months ago, I posted an article about AND1 being a major sponsor of the 2^nd season of the Lingerie Basketball League out in the City of Angels (click HERE for the write-up) & made mention of Pinay representation in the LBL.  One of them, Melissa Ann “Mae” Escobar, willingly obliged to be interviewed by AND1 Ph.  Currently the team captain of the LA Starlets (one of four teams in the LBL), this sweet-shooting two-guard was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Filipino parents.

When not hooping, she works in the hospitality industry and has since moved to the US from Canada when she turned 16.  She has these to say about her basketball roots, hoop experience, and love for the game:

Flash: How young were you when you first started with basketball?

Mae: “I was pretty young when I started. My dad actually played and joined a lot of adult basketball leagues that he would always take me to since I was a baby. When I got little bit bigger, I would shoot around on the side during his practices and games. When I was in elementary school, he put me in this Filipino basketball organization league with boys and girls teams in Canada called FILCANSA (Filipino Canadian Sports Association – http://filcansa.org/). When I played in the league he noticed I had talent so he started to teach and work with me.”

Young Mae with her dad - basketball roots run deep in her family.

Flash: What are some of the tournaments/leagues/events that you have participated in aside from the LBL?

Mae: “I have been playing basketball almost all my life. In Canada I played in a Filipino league and travel ball that was associated with the Filcansa organization.

I’ve joined countless adult leagues, played in the Nike Say No league during college, and the Drew Leagues which consists of retired overseas, current overseas and college athletes.  Recently, I was a part of the Womens national team, Perlas ng Pilipinas, this past summer.”

Hooping back in 12th grade.

Flash: What do you think of our local talent (Pinay basketball players)?

Mae: “Playing over there with the Women's National Team was such a great experience. They have helped my game and confidence level so much. When I first got there I was the 3rd tallest player on my team, and I'm only 5'9. I regularly play shooting guard so taking on and learning a post position was really difficult. But my team was really helpful and beat me up every day at practice until I got it down. Even though my team was vertically challenged, these women were so fast and talented. They have the biggest hearts and play with so much passion. They are also really physical and so strong, I've came out of many practices with so many bruises it looked like i got hit by a car.”

Flash: Any plans of visiting the Philippines?

Mae: “I really enjoyed my time this past summer in the PI. The hospitality of the people and the weather is amazing and so welcoming.  So I can’t wait and would love to come back. Hopefully the LBL will be there soon. *smiles*”

Continuation of this article will be posted on October 15.  More about Mae and her LBL experience in Part 2.  Stay tuned!

[UPDATE - 10.15.12] - Click HERE to read part 2 of this article.

Mae with Perlas ng Pilipinas and the Jakarta Women's Basketball Team.

Hanging out with her Perlas teammates.

The And1 2Chi’s (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 9.27.12] – The And1 2Chi’s (performance)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Images: Flash and various online sources

This month’s Sole Spotlight features (in my honest opinion) one of the most underrated pairs ever released by AND1 – the 2Chi’s, which was previously available in Mids and Lows.  Just recently, I managed to get my hands on a sales sample of the 2Chi Lows, but unfortunately only the right foot (major bummer, I know).  Nonetheless, posted below some images for everybody’s reference.

While it has been released in different PE versions, Jason Williams has been the most recognizable baller to rock this silhouette.  Check out images of “White Chocolate” in his beloved 2Chi Mids.

While scouring the internet for images of the 2Chi Mids, I’ve come across some interesting colorways and PEs.  As AND1 is set to celebrate it’s 20^th anniversary next year, one can only hope that the 2Chis be released as a retro pair (in Mids and Lows please).

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

AND1 Live Tour introduces NBA legend Gary Payton as new head coach

[LIVE WIRE – 9.22.12] – AND1 Live Tour introduces NBA legend Gary Payton as new head coach

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls
Images and Video Clips: AND1 Live Streetball (via Facebook) / various online sources

The And1 Live Streetball Tour (previously known as the AND1 Mixtape Tour) is set to host a press conference and basketball clinic in Dunlevy Milbank Children Center in Harlem, NY on October 2, 2012.  As indicated in their press release, they are also set to introduce NBA legend Gary Payton as their new head coach.

GP previously played with the AND1 Live squad back in August when the streetball tour made a stop in Latin America.  He joined former NBA players Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, Nick Van Exel, Bonzi Wells, Theo Ratliff, Dale Davis, and Tim Hardaway as part of the “Legends of Basketball” who joined forces with AND1 Live in providing entertainment on the hardcourt and also giving back to the community by hosting a youth basketball clinic in each city that they visited (San Jose, Costa Rica, Caracas and Valencia, Venezuela).  Click here for our previous blog article about their Latin America tour, and check out the Youtube video highlights posted below.

Video highlights from their Costa Rica stop.

For those of you who may have been too young to remember Payton’s playing days, here’s a short refresher.  He came out of Oregon State University as the 2^nd overall pick in the 1990 draft (after Derrick Coleman) and was known primarily as an outstanding on-ball defender (9-time NBA Defensive First Team).  Nonetheless, he has also selected to the NBA All Star Game 9 times and was a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996, 2000), aside from being named to different All-NBA Teams on multiple occasions.

Young GP playing for Oregon State University.

Jason Kidd talks about learning from Gary Payton.

Mo Williams talks about patterning his style of play after GP's.

Also known as The Glove, Gary Payton played in five NBA teams over the course of his illustrious career.  He has played in 3 NBA Finals series (Seattle Supersonics in 1996, LA Lakers in 2004, and Miami Heat in 2006), finally winning his only title after the Miami Heat defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games.  Here are some more of his video highlights.

Click to play the video clips.

Gary’s inclusion to the AND1 Live tour as their new head coach couldn’t have been a more perfect fit.  His in-your-face attitude, trash-talking swagger, and strong and yet professional approach to the game of basketball spells a lot of thrill for the already-electrifying style of play in which the AND1 Live tour is known for.  Truly, exciting times ahead for the squad that is committed to showcase the exhilarating style of streetball/basketball throughout the world. It is known that whenever the AND1 LIVE stars visit a community, their first objective is to inspire the youth to excel in education, and encourage them to stay away from drugs, alcohol and negative behavior.

Watch out for more And1 Live news and updates soon, but for local info, news, and updates, you can follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  Big thanks to AND1 President Rob Purvy for sharing this awesome news and shoutouts as well to Linda Hill and Steven Simmons of AND1 Live.  And that’s the 411, AND Juan!

[Post Script / Author’s Musings:]

On a much personal note, I have been fortunate enough to meet him back in 2010 during the NBA Asia Challenge here in the Philippines.  He is my favorite basketball player of all time, and it was such a thrill meeting GP in person (along with Mark Cerbo aka Cerbojam, fellow AND1 Ph founder and admin).  Couple of images and a video clip have been posted below from that fateful encounter.