NBA x Project Runway crossover

This past Sunday, an interesting crossover between two properties that Solar Entertainment Corporation have rights to took place.

On the latest episode of Project Runway Philippines, the competing Pinoy fashion designers went to the NBA Store in Glorietta for their latest challenge: to create a fashion look out of the items available at the said store.

Overseeing the festivities in that episode is NBA Philippines country manager Carlo Singson, who also gave his own sense of fashion with his suggestions and tips for the designers. Acting as one of the guest judges for this episode is Rain or Shine's versatile swingman Gabe Norwood.

Replays of this NBA crossover edition for Project Runway: Philippines are as follows:

August 19: 10pm
August 20: 3am, 10am, 5pm
August 22 1pm
August 23 8am

The concept of basketball players becoming fashionable was an offshoot from David Stern instituting a dress code a decade ago in 2005. The then-commissioner noted that players should be wearing a "business casual" attire in all "team or league activities." In addition, certain players have decided to create their own unique style, like a Dwyane Wade or a Russell Westbrook. In fact, LeBron James designated Rachel Johnson back in 2006.

Nowadays, the pre-game and post-game scenes could be a witness to a fashion innovation or even a fashion faux pas.

LeBron James in Manila for the Rise Beyond Belief tour

In line with its Rise campaign, LeBron James will be making his return to the highly-anticipated Philippines next week.

James will be tasked to mentor the Rise players and serve as their inspiration. His backstory is a good illustration of perseverance and overcoming adversity. After all, he has been the subject of scrutiny since high school, and his relentless drive and desire for greatness provides a template for these youngsters to follow, as they make the attempt to rise above it all.

LeBron will also make the announcement as to who will make the final cut. Those who were selected will comprise Team Rise for their final task.

Team Rise ain't the only ones who would have the chance to "Witness Greatness." Just like his previous visit here, the Mall of Asia Arena will serve as a venue for one of his activities. This time, it will be on August 20, and fans, much like the that time back in 2013, will have the chance to be in attendance. How?

1. Fans will have to visit http://gonike.me/LebronJamesRiseTour starting August 14 at 9am.

2. Follow the instructions on the site in registering, and if successful, they will be receiving a confirmation e-mail.
3. Fans will need to present that e-mail and a valid ID to a Nike store at the designated date and time from August 15-18 to claim the tickets.

In addition, a "Rise Beyond Belief" photo booth will be set up at the Fort branch of Nike Park, in which fans could have the chance to be part of a special photo mosaic of James.

Fans can watch Nike Rise on all Sundays of August, 6pm, on TV5. In case you want to relive the episodes, you can head to Sports5.ph or on Nike Philippines' YouTube page.

NBA and Under Armour expand current partnership

The NBA announced on Monday that it is expanding its partnership with Under Armour (UA).

The up-and-coming American sporting apparel brand, which has had a relationship with the NBA since 2011, earned the nod of becoming the title partner of the NBA Draft Combine (starting in 2018). This specific agreement means that upcoming NBA Draft prospects will be in UA gear during the entirety of its event. UA will also develop a retail apparel line based from the combine for the fans to purchase.

As a presenting partner for the US-based Jr. NBA program, UA will help the league with its expanded efforts to get the youth out to play. Through basketball clinics, skills challenges, and regional tournaments conducted with the assistance of youth basketball organizations, the NBA aims to reach out to five million kids aged 6-14 y/o and develop within them a lifelong passion with the sport.

It is also important to stress out that the Jr. NBA Program not only teaches them the fundamentals of the sport, but also them the STAR values (sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude, and respect) that would serve them well outside of the court.

In addition to the two programs, the NBA will utilize Under Armour's Connected Fitness platform as the basis for its NBA FIT App, which fits the league's thrust in encouraging people to have a healthy and active lifestyle. The application will have training tips and fitness-related content, among other things.

UA also secured a global content partnership with the league, which will come in handy particularly with marketing and promoting its athlete endorsers (i.e. Stephen Curry, Kemba Walker, Brandon Jennings, Greivis Vasquez and Emmanuel Mudiay). It will also be make its presence felt at some of the NBA events, like the All-Star Game, for instance.

Under Armour EVP for Global Marketing Adam Peake expressed pride in having this expanded partnership with the NBA, noting that this will allow them to "leverage our leadership in athletic performance innovation and Connected Fitness to foster the worldwide growth of basketball." He adds that this shared commitment will help basketball players everywhere realize their potential both on and off the court.

NBA EVP for Global Markerting Partnerships Emilio Collins says that both the NBA and UA have a shared commitment to basketball, fitness, and healthy living. This latest alliance, allows them to not just teach the values of the game to millions of kids though the Jr. NBA Program, but a chance to educate the fans with the latest on exercise know-how and wellness information via the NBA Fit app.

No details have been made available as to how the Philippines will be affected by this partnership. When asked for comment on Twitter, NBA Philippines' Carlos Singson is excited about this collaboration and sees UA as a "very cool brand."

NBACares visits Project Pearls

NBACares in Bocaue first went to the Project Pearls Learning Center to do some painting.

One of the things that Alec Burks conducted when he was here was a NBACares activity.

The guard from the Utah Jazz, alongside SE Asia Director for NBA Basketball Operations Craig Brown visited Bocaue, Bulacan on Thursday morning. Whilst many in Manila were focused on the scheduled Metro Manila Shake Drill; Burks, Brown, NBA Country Manager Carlos Singson, and PBA players Ranidel de Ocampo and Jayson Castro of Talk 'N Text, as well as Beau Belga of Rain or Shine painted murals at the Project Pearls Learning Center.

They then headed to the nearby PNP Covered Court to conduct a short basketball clinic for the kids. as part of NBA Fit Week PH.

NBACares capped off their activity with Project Pearls with a basketball clinic

Those who are interested with the advocacy of Project Pearls can check out their website.

Debut of Nike: Rise tomorrow

The much-anticipated Nike: Rise reality sports documentary will be telecast tomorrow night, 6pm on TV5.

The first episode sees Chot Reyes meeting the 24 kids selected from the tryouts that took place across the country, with NBA star Paul George dropping by to kick off the training at the House of Rise in Mandaluyong City.

It also serves as a means to share the background of some of these kids, a background filled with non-believers in their skill and talent. Some have their own kind of warts. In addition, they didn't exactly have the perfect kind of training that other athletes have secured, and as such, they will be coming in raw.

George will assist Reyes in teaching the kids during this episode. He is familiar with having to deal with a meteoric rise, from being an unknown and mysterious entity to becoming the Most Improved Player to becoming a superstar. His story is also about determination, as he still continues to comeback stronger from his injury.


The trailer for the first episode can be seen below.