ASIDE from the mind-blowing plays, the sneaker display is also worth watching for in the first round of UAAP Season 82 men's basketball.
During a three-game day on Wednesday (NU vs. FEU, Ateneo vs. UE, and UP vs. DLSU), your favorite collegiate basketball stars won their respective actual and shoe games with custom fits.
Eyes on the prize, as Shaun Ildefonso of the NU Bulldogs screamed "Wakanda Forever" with his Nike Lebron XVI Low Black Panther custom by StyleYourKicksPH.
"I have always really loved Black Panther, 'yung approach ng story niya — service to the community, and the looks as well." he said. "It's really cool to have some art on your shoes, being out of the ordinary. As much as possible, gusto ko yung 'life movies' ko 'yung nandun."
The older Ildefonso had eight markers and six rebounds for NU, which crushed the FEU Tamaraws, 61-39, for their first win of the season.
Shaun didn't go far as to where he owes his performance, saying the pair gave him some extra boldness on the court: "'Yung feeling na my shoes look really dope on the court gives me more confidence."
Come second game, Thirdy Ravena laced up his Nike Zoom Freak 1 My Hero Academia custom by StyleYourKicksPH, on his way to 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists for the Ateneo Blue Eagles' sixth straight victory.
"I like wearing custom shoes because it makes me different from everyone, and I get to make the shoe 'mine' in the sense that it's the only version that exists," the UAAP style maven said.
Thirdy had the faces of anime characters Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todokori, whom he finds "relatable," painted on the side of his Zoom Freaks.
He explained, "Bakugo and Todokori have their own set of struggles which are close to my heart. Bakugo wants to be the best, but greatness is a process that can't be rushed. I tend to rush on 'becoming great,' but in reality, I still have a lot to work on. Todokori is in constant battle with the expectations of his father to be great and it's something that I had to go through as well."
This is the younger Ravena's own way of living up to expectations, as he believes in the "look good, feel good" mantra.
Ricci Rivero was instrumental in the UP Fighting Maroons' thriller over La Salle, 72-71, while wearing a Paul George 3 Lion King custom by RepentMNL. The prized transferee, who had nine points, was more than prepared to face his former teammates.
"Can you feel the love that Ricci has for his shoes, tonight?" RepentMNL wrote on Instagram.
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