BY ABBY TORALBA
ASIDE from the high-octane cage wars, the PBA has teamed up with global sportswear giant ANTA.
The pro league and ANTA last week sealed a three-year partnership, taking the game of local basketball to a whole new level as the PBA’s official footwear.
“We are thrilled to welcome ANTA as our official footwear partner,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said during the partnership event at the New World Hotel in Makati.
“ANTA’s commitment to innovation and quality aligns perfectly with our vision to elevate Philippine basketball. This partnership promises exciting developments for PBA players and fans, and we are confident it will contribute significantly to the continued growth of the sport,” he added.
ANTA, apart from its deepened commitment with the PBA, also solidified its partnership with four fan-favorite squads in the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Magnolia Hotshots, and TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda in the PBA D-League.
Rain or Shine guard Anton Asistio called ANTA as “a game charger” and emphasized that “it empowers us and inspires us to compete at our very best. So yeah, (I’m) very happy and very excited.”
The well-known brand is expected to conduct community programs in collaboration with Rain or Shine later this year, making true to its word of supporting local basketball and elevating it.
“Teaming up with the PBA gives us the opportunity to support these athletes perform at their best at the highest level of basketball locally. Partnering with the PBA comes at a perfect time when ANTA is growing at a very rapid pace across the country,” ANTA Philippines General Manager JP Paglinawan said.
“Together, we look forward to further developing the future of both brands and more importantly, Philippine basketball.”
Also present during the partnership deal were Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao, team manager Jireh Ibanes, Magnolia team manager Alvin Patrimonio, Hotshots assistant coach Mon Jose, Magnolia media liaison Reena del Mundo, Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta, TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa, and PBA head of marketing Jo Francisco.
