New kicks: Shoes made for Kobe, LeBron to be released in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Sports apparel brand Nike will release limited edition footwear on Saturday in celebration of basketball star Kobe Bryant's 5th championship.

The signature shoes, called Zoom Kobe V 5 Rings, were worn by Bryant during the Los Angeles Lakers' first game at the National Basketball Association (NBA) 2010-2011 season.

The pair, priced at P6,995, has different graphic renderings of the number 5 as Bryant enters his 14th season at the NBA with 5 championship rings.

"The Nike Zoom Kobe V 5 Rings features a lighter, stronger version of Nike's innovative Flywire technology that's strategically placed to perform like synthetic tendons while cradling the foot like a second skin. The shoe's overlays were bonded with heat welding, which is lighter, more consistent and less abrasive than traditional stitching," Nike said in a statement.

It added, "Bryant's input and inspiration were also instrumental in shaping the aesthetics of the Nike Zoom Kobe V 5 Rings. The shoe's designer, Eric Ayar, and the design team in Nike's Innovation Kitchen incorporated aspects of Bryant's game and personality into every detail of the shoe."

Only 36 pairs of the Zoom Kobe V Rings footwear will be available in the Philippines on October 30.

Eighteen of them will be sold at Nike Park at The Fort starting 12 p.m. on a first come, first served basis.

The remaining 18 pairs, meanwhile, will be available at Titan through its players club, which can be contacted at info@titan22.com.

LeBron 8

After the launch of the Zoom Kobe V 5 Rings on Saturday, Nike will be selling another pair of footwear on November 1.

The LeBron 8, priced at P7,495 per pair, is part of the signature shoe collection of LeBron James, one of the star players of NBA's Miami Heat.

Nike said the shoes are built with a supple all-natural leather upper, a basketball-specific Max Air 360 unit combined with Flywire technology and deep-cut forefoot flex grooves.

"The lion on the front-side of the tongue represents LeBron's ravenous nature 'like that of a hunter on the basketball court,'" the sports apparel company said.

It continued, "The tongue-back label is a nod to bespoke off-court attire, and highlights the crafted nature of the LeBron 8 made specifically for Mr. LeBron James. The numbers 828 represent the 82 regular season games and the 28 playoff games."

Weeks ago, Nike sold limited edition Ateneo championship shirts in the Philippines, the same ones worn by the Blue Eagles when they snared their 3rd straight men's basketball championship last September 30.

The sports apparel brand is also known for selling limited edition Manny Pacquiao merchandise, which aim to pay tribute to the Filipino boxing champ.