MANILA– On the evening of December 5th, ANTA PH gathered 20 current and former standout players from one of the Philippines’ most prestigious college basketball programs at Common Folk Cafe, Quezon City to celebrate the university’s homecoming weekend.
Each attendee was surprised with a pair of the ANTA KAI 1 in its newest “Blue Dynasty” colorway—a nod to their school’s colors and equally storied team history, the country’s very own blue dynasty.
The ANTA KAI 1 “Blue Dynasty” is inspired by Kyrie Irving’s days as a Blue Devil. Irving’s one-and-done stint in Durham, North Carolina for the 2010-2011 season showcased his raw mastery of scoring and ball handling. As one of the runner-ups for Freshman of the Year, Irving led his alma mater far into their campaign together; stirring up discussions of what could’ve been a blue dynasty if Irving had stayed rather than forgo his eligibility to go pro.
The shoe’s colorway is draped in his university’s away colors of black and blue with silver accents throughout; most notably on the iconic midsole placement of ANTA’s logo shining from the sneaker’s primarily analogous colors.
Similar to the blue hues of a certain university in the Philippines, the ANTA KAI 1 “Blue Dynasty” echoes the university’s rich basketball history and extensive roster of alumni, many of whom made significant waves on the local basketball scene as national and professional players.
Players from different eras of the program’s blue dynasties attended the exclusive semi-reunion and gathering. Current assistant coaches Sandy Arespacochanga and Gene Afable, and former coaching staff members Gabby Severino and Jean Alabanza all played for the squad in the 90s and were there to commemorate the launch.
Representing the late 90s to early 2000s era were former national team sensation and finals MVP Larry Fonacier, past season MVPs Rich Alvarez and Enrico Villanueva, and members Bajjie Del Rosario and Johan Uichico—who has since carved out a successful off-court career as a renowned radiologist.
Fonacier, known by many as the “Baby-faced Assassin” for the integral role he played as the national team sharpshooter, reminisced on the dynasty of his day and the unique bonds formed by athletes under the program.
“My favorite memory [as a player] is today, another memory we’ve created. We all know what happened before when we were on the court but, these new moments are so special. The simple gatherings, the coffees, the sharing stories, it’s amazing how a basketball game can make lifelong friends out of us from years before,” Fonacier happily shared.
Former national team representatives Poy Erram and Nico Salva, a two-time Finals MVP and current Team B head coach, were in attendance alongside Yuri Escueta, Justin Chua, Jai Reyes, Bacon Austria, Kirk Long, and Carlo Balmaceda. They all played significant roles in the university’s illustrious five-peat run from 2008 to 2012.
Ex-PBA pro turned league commissioner Jai Reyes joked that his most memorable moment as a member of the blue dynasty was when 2010 Finals MVP Ryan Buenafe drove the team bus to Subic, Zambales without the coaches’ knowledge.
He quickly shifted it and said: “In all seriousness, the teammates, the games, and the memories we made off-court are the most memorable moments.”
Anton Asistio and Raffy Verano, now PBA players and two members of the most recent three-peat dynasty from Season 80 to 82, rounded out the alumni guest list.
The ANTA KAI 1 “Blue Dynasty” was released in the Philippines on December 7th for a retail price of P7,995 and is available at select ANTA retail stores nationwide. (PR)
