The 2021 PBA Philippine Cup is now finally down to two teams as the Magnolia Hotshots battle the TNT Tropang Giga for the All-Filipino crown.
With the Finals about to start, the sneaker battle among PBA stars has finally reached its climax, too.
Who made the final push and who dropped out of our list? Here is DM Kicks’ list of the best PBA sneakers from Week 10.
5. Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “White Del Sol” (Terrence Romeo, SMB)
It’s been a while since the shifty guard last made our list, and in his return, Romeo did not disappoint. In the San Miguel Beermen’s dominant victory over TNT last Friday, the “Golden Boy” laced up a returning Kobe pair, the Zoom Kobe 6 “White Del Sol”.
Originally a part of the “Playoff Pack” way back in 2011, this white snake-skin inspired sneaker was re-released in June 2020 five months after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. Just as expected, the pairs did not even last a heartbeat on the shoe racks and the value skyrocketed.
The Kobe 6 Protro “White Del Sol” currently sits at PhP 18,000.
4. Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” (CJ Perez, SMB)
Just like Romeo, Perez is another notable player from the star-studded Beermen lineup whose solid sneaker game has been eclipsed by other “Sneaker King” contenders. For the past few games, the former Lyceum stalwart was seen lacing up Kobe pairs. However, this was one of the few occasions that Perez’ sneakers were put into light.
During a heartbreaking defeat against the Tropang Giga last Wednesday, the two-time PBA scoring champ was seen playing on Zoom Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch”. Just like the “White Del Sol”, the “Grinch” is another Kobe 6 silhouette that returned to the racks last year.
Just like what its silhouette and name suggest, this iteration of the Kobe 6 is a Christmas-inspired silhouette which was initially released dated back 2010.
The Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” is currently valued at 30,000.
3. Undefeated X Zoom Kobe 5 Protro “Hall of Fame” (Mikey Williams, TNT)
With Chris Ross not making the list, it seems like the Tropang Giga’s super rookie has solidified his odds to go home with the elusive “Sneaker King” crown. Despite being silent in Game 5, particularly on the sneaker game note, Williams ended the semifinals with a bang.
The 29-year-old rookie sensation casually brought out a sneaker collaboration between Nike and the famous sneaker store and apparel brand, the Undefeated, when the Tropang Giga ended the Beermen’s Philippine Cup campaign last Sunday.
Williams notched 20 points in Game 7 while wearing the Undefeated X Zoom Kobe 5 Protro “Hall of Fame”. This silhouette of the Kobe 5 Protro was released in May 2020 to honor the induction of the Los Angeles Lakers legend to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Undefeated X Zoom Kobe 5 Protro “Hall of Fame” is valued at PhP 15,000.
2. Zoom Kobe 5 Protro “Alternate Bruce Lee” (Nard Pinto, Meralco)
The Meralco Bolts suffered yet another devastating blow after being defeated by the Hotshots in six games. However, one bright spot that Meralco could look into is the emergence of the former Arellano University Chief Nard Pinto this conference.
Along with his quality minutes, Pinto’s superb sneaker game has also taken notice. During their last game this conference, the 31-year-old guard laced up the alternate silhouette of the re-released version of the Kobe 5 Protro “Bruce Lee”.
Also known as “Alternate Bruce Lee”, this silhouette of the Kobe 5 Protro is a nod to the 2010 release of the Kobe 5 “Bruce Lee”. As the colorway suggests, the pair was a homage to the late martial arts legend, Bruce Lee.
The pair’s design was inspired by Lee’s jumpsuit from his movie, “Enter the Dragon”, along with his legendary red scratch marks on his chest.
The Kobe 5 Protro “Alternate Bruce Lee” is valued at PhP 28,000.
1. Kobe 11 Elite Low “Master of Innovation” (Mo Tautuaa, SMB)
Coincidentally, this week’s sneaker ranking is all Kobe sneakers as San Miguel’s Filipino-Tongan big man Mo Tautuaa landed at the top of our list.
During the Beermen’s Game 6 dominance, the 6-foot-8 center was seen playing on a 2016 release Kobe 11 Elite Low. Apparently, the striking silhouette caught by the camera on Tautuaa’s feet is known as the “Master of Innovation”.
The Kobe 11 Elite Low “Master of Innovation” was a nod to Kobe’s much-awaited NBA return after tearing his Achilles tendon in 2013.
This silhouette of the Kobe 11 Elite Low currently sits at PhP 30,000. However, its US Men’s size 10.5 is valued at around PhP 49,000.
