StreetballPh hosts “Hype Streetball” event

[Streetball’s Finest  –  11.5.12] – StreetballPh hosts “Hype Streetball” event

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Hype Streetball, one of the biggest streetball events of the year, was successfully staged yesterday (11AM-5PM, November 4) by StreetballPh at the Asia Pacific College gym in Magallanes.  In conjunction with members of the Flip Ballaz, Nino Ventura Films, HJ Photography, Aqua V, AND1 Philippines, and Apgrapix Ph, this multi-faceted hoop activity was attended by more than a hundred ballers, freestylers and basketball fans.  It was very impressive to note that streetball is alive and kicking, and AND1 gear was used extensively by those who attended the event.

As part of the festivities, Hype Streetball started off with a message from one of the founders of Flip Ballaz - Li’l Wizard.  It was then followed immediately by a basketball clinic participated in mostly by street children that were invited to join the event.  Members of the Flip Ballaz group acted as coaches and mentored the kids in how to do the streetball tricks that they use such as the shamgod, crossover, spin moves, tic-tac, and more.

After the streetball clinic, the players were divided into four groups and open tryouts were conducted  to find out which are the top ballers who will play later that afternoon in the exhibition game versus the Flip Ballaz squad.  After the hour-long tryouts, 10 players were selected from the 100+ participants and were given Hype Streetball t-shirts to be worn during the exhibition match.

Right before the exhibition game, one of the playing coaches for the Hype Streetball Select Team – local celebrity and hip-hop artist Krazy Kyle performed two numbers for the crowd.  Spitting out one electric verse after another, the mercurial rapper promised a good match before suiting up for the opposing team.

"When I say Flip, y'all say Ballaz... FLIP - BALLAZ, FLIP - BALLAZ!

When I say Krazy, y'all say Kyle... KRAZY - KYLE, KRAZY - KYLE!"

The exhibition game between the Hype Streetball Select Team and Flip Ballaz lived up to its billing as the game was tightly contested for three quarters before the crowd favorites pulled away in the 4^th quarter by employing a man-to-man full-court press.  The game ended with a win for Flip Ballaz in a match filled with multiple lead changes, a ton of streetball tricks and highlights, and lots of fun and excitement both for the players and the audience.

Flip Ballaz in a pre-game huddle.

Hype Streetball Select Team with Flip MC (middle), flanked by 

Flash (with cap) and Krazy Kyle (in hoodie) who acted as playing coaches.

After the exhibition game ended, medals and trophies were handed out to the Mythical Five, Sportmanship awardee, and of course, the Most Valuable Player.  One of the biggest surprises came during that time, as Li’l Wizard was serenaded by the crowd with a hearty "Happy  Birthday" song and a cake was presented to him by his girlfriend and family.  Flash of AND1 Philippines also distributed limited edition AND1 Philippines baller bands to everyone who wore AND1 gear during the event.

Flip Ballaz pose with the top ballers - Mythical Five, Sportsmanship Award, 

and the Most Valuable Player (middle).

Nino "Li'l Wizard" Ventura smiles during his birthday surprise.

Players in AND1 gear sport the limited edition 

AND1 Philippines baller bands distributed by Flash.

Hype Streetball ended with an exhibition from top freestylers who busted out the craziest tricks and combinations of streetball moves that drew “Ooohs” and “Aaahs” from everyone who watched the skills showcase.

AND1 Philippines would like to thank StreetballPh for inviting us over to cover their event.  Visit and “Like” their official Facebook page by clicking HERE.  Check out more images from the event at the AND1 Ph FB photo albums - (redirected to the AND1 Ph FB “Hype Streetball event” photo album).

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) for your regular local updates and international AND1 news.  And that’s the 411, AND Juan!

The And1 Empire Mids - Monta Ellis PE (performance)

[Sole Spotlight – 10.25.12] – The And1 Empire Mids - Monta Ellis PE (performance)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: eBay user ekhchan86, plus various other sources

Hey AND Juans, I was doing the regular eBay search this past week and I stumbled upon this very interesting auction – an unreleased AND1 Empire Mid Monta Ellis PE (player edition / player exclusive).  Posted by eBay user ekhchan86, the description is as follows:

“You are bidding on a RARE and 100% AUTHENTIC pair of AND 1 ME8 EMPIRE MONTA ELLIS PLAYER SAMPLES IN SIZE 13!!  These were never released to the general public and made exclusively for MONTA while with the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS!

They have his logo of ME8. These are in DEADSTOCK CONDITION and have NEVER BEEN WORN!! These shoes have never graced the cement and are in perfect condition. The colorway is quite unique and was the HOME colorway for the WARRIORS. You will not find another pair of these anytime soon!  These are very rare and hard to come by.”

As the description says, it is an AND1 PE in size 13’s, and I would fairly assume that is the same size as Monta’s.  What’s also interesting to note is that it bears the logo of the former AND1 endorser in the heel section, something that wasn’t even available in his previous shoe models (Wonder Mid, Disciple Mid, ME8 Mid, & the Sovereign Mid, to name a few).  

More pics below of the Empire Mid Monta PE, and you can click HERE for the actual eBay auction.

The ME8 logo.

 Looks legit, size 13's.

It’s currently listed at a starting bid of $ 109.99, with a Buy Now price of $ 129.99, or roughly Php 5500-6000 (you’ll have to add about $23 for the shipping).  That’s pretty reasonable, considering the rarity of this pair.

For more AND1 shoe news, sightings, and updates, follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and please don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/and1ph).  More images of previously released Monta Ellis PEs posted below.  Till next blogpost, ONE!

Taichi Mid

Disciple Mid

Empire Mid, Christmas CW

Sovereign Mid

Hype Streetball event

[Streetball’s Finest  –  10.19.12] – Hype Streetball event

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Nino Ventura / Li’l Wizard / StreetballPh (via Facebook)

Hey And Juans, mark your calendars for one of the biggest streetball events this year.  On November 4 (Sunday), Hype Streetball will happen at the Asia Pacific College gym (11^th floor), and will feature the following:

• Basketball clinic
• Open tryouts / Friendly games (get to play with local streetball personalities)
• Freestyle exhibition

This event will be for a good cause as well, as it also aims to teach some invited street children how to play and enjoy the sport of basketball.  Gates will open at 11AM and will most likely run until late in the afternoon. 

Check out the Youtube link below for the teaser trailer:

Hype Streetball is open to all boys and girls, regardless of age group and was conceptualized by the pointman of local streetball group Flip Ballaz – Nino “Li’l Wizard” Ventura.  For those who are interested to join, click this link to find out how to register.

AND1 Philippines will be on-site to cover this event and document the different side events in conjunction with Nino Ventura Films.  Visit and “Like” the official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/streetballphcommunity) for the latest news and updates.  

Also, please don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) for your regular local updates and international AND1 news.  And that’s the 411, AND Juan!

Some promotional art from StreetballPh.

Additional AND1 shoe models for 2012 Q3/Q4 now locally available!

[Shoe News – 10.17.12] – Additional AND1 shoe models for 2012 Q3/Q4 now locally available!

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Just this week, AKT!V stores and AND1 outlets already received their stocks of additional 2012 footwear for the 3^rd and 4^th quarter of the year.  Two different versions of a new shoe model are now available locally, the Orbit Mid; plus new colorways of the previously released Thunder Mid and Guardian Mid.

Price point as follows:

• Thunder Mid = Php 3,995
• ASPHALT/BLACK/LIME

• Orbit Mid = Php 4,595
• WARRIOR BLUE/WARRIOR  BLUE/WARRIOR YELLOW
• RED/BLACK/WHITE

• Guardian Mid = Php 5,495
• METALLIC DK GREY/BLACK/VARSITY RED
• ENERGY BLUE/BLACK/ ORANGE

Please also do check out AND1 Ph’s previous blog article about the initial shoe drops for 2012 Q3/Q4 last September 18 (click HERE to read the article).  The Rocket 3.0 & Thunder have stocks for both Men’s & Kid’s sizes, while the Guardian is only available in adult sizing.

Big thanks to Relzbach Ventures/AKT!V partners (s/o to Joe Hook Up of Gola Greenbelt) for the update on these new arrivals including the price points.  New models (such as the upcoming Dragon Mid) with new colorways are due to arrive later this year, so please standby if they do show up in shoe racks soon.  Follow us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news (@and1ph) on shoe sightings, and please LIKE us on Facebook (facebook.com/and1ph) so that our posts appears on your newsfeeds.  Check out the new models for yourselves, And Juans!

The updated 2012 Q3/Q4 footwear assortment as of October.

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

[Streetball’s Finest  –  10.15.12] – Mae Escobar: Lingerie Basketball’s Brown Sugar (Part 2 of 2)

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Adrian Sidney and Mae Escobar (via Facebook and e-mail)

Last week, I posted Part 1 of the blog feature about Mae Escobar, one of many Filipina ballers for the Lingerie Basketball League (which, as you may know is currently sponsored by AND1).  You can click HERE to read Part 1, or just scroll down for the continuation.

Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, Mae usually plays shooting guard.  She grew up idolizing former NBA player and Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller, and remembers that “the most amazing game that I remember watching was Game 1 in 1995, the Pacers against the Knicks when Reggie scored 8pts in 9 sec. Best game ever!”   Currently, she adores the play of LA Sparks standout Candace Parker and mentioned that if she (Mae) was a little girl growing up, Parker’s game is definitely what she would want to mimic.

Mae swishes the AND1 free-throw.

I asked her some more questions about her experiences playing in the LBL, and have posted them below with her replies.

Flash: How did you hear about the LBL and how did you get to join?

Mae: “My best friend, Alex Carcamo actually told me about it. He found it online and submitted my pictures and information.  Received a call the next day and tried out and obviously made the Starlets team, a week before everything (the tournament) started. I was hesitant at first trying out, but I’m glad he convinced me to do it. Thanks Guy!”

Mae-"Day" can hold her own in the tough LBL tournament.

Flash: What’s the best part about playing for the LBL?

Mae: “The best part for me would be that I’m still playing ball.  I just LOVE the game and would love to play as long as I can.  Being sponsored by AND1 and getting free stuff to rock is also pretty amazing as well.”

Flash: Speaking of AND1, what was your first AND1 shoe?  How was the shoe’s performance relative to your needs?

Mae: “My first AND1s are the white and silver Empire Mids.  I have never strayed away from Nikes, but these shoes are really comfortable.  They have a lot of cushion and are very supportive.  I have a narrow foot and usually have to wear 2 socks for the extra cushion, but these Empires really have the support I need.”

Flash: Given your hectic schedule, how often do you train/play hoops?

Mae: “I really try and train with Keion (Flash: please see previous article) at least 3x a week. But most of the time I’m doing individual workouts on my own whenever I can. I work in the mornings and weekends so I usually get my workouts late at night.  Before I went to the Philippines, I was training after midnight to get the court all to myself with a friend that used to play overseas. He would rebound and help me get my shots up, do court workout and pool workouts and then I would go home and wake up 4 hours later for work. I was doing that at least 4-5x a week.”

Huddle up!

Flash: Any tips for aspiring female basketball players?

Mae: “My tips for aspiring females  who would like to play basketball on a professional level is if this is what you really want, hard work and persistence pays off.  If you are willing to get in the gym and actually do the work day in and day out, dreams really can be achieved. 

I have gone through 2 knee surgeries (orthoscopic on my right, and a reconstruction on my left knee - tore my meniscus, mcl and acl), I have had some de-motivating coaches who didn’t believe in me and actually killed my confidence in playing.  They convinced me that I should quit and I wasn’t good enough.  But my love for the game kept me in it.

Everyone has bad games, and life gets in the way sometimes but if you surround yourself with motivated and positive people who will help encourage and support your dream, I really believe you can do anything. I am definitely a good example!”

Flash: Final message for AND1 Philippines (and your AND Juan fans)?

Mae: “I would like to thank you for this great opportunity. I appreciate you even considering doing an article on me. I would love to thank AND1 for sponsoring and supporting the Lingerie league and im really excited to see where this partnership is going to go. The future for this league is going to be big and I cant wait until everything is revealed. *smiles*”

Lingerie Basketball League photoshoot.

You can follow Mae in Twitter (@maepebbles) or find her on Facebook (maepebbles@gmail.com) for current Lingerie Basketball updates and in her words…”me talking smack to the other girls (just kidding) and where we may be traveling to.”  Be sure to check out the official LBL website for highlights and updates at www.lingerbasketball.com.

As always, I’ll try to feature other streetball players soon, and so feel free to email us at 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!