Air Jordan XX9 (29)..Or Is It?

There is growing anticipation over Jordan Brand's next release, the Air Jordan XX9 (29). Some quarters say the Air Jordan XX9 is set to drop around September 2014. At any rate, there hasn't been any confirmation yet as to what the performance sneakers will look like. BUT this video somehow got my attention. Could it be the Air Jordan XX9? Check it out below. Pictures of other supposed colorways after the video.

Jordan Super.Fly 2 Venom Green

I haven't seen this colorway of the Jordan Super.Fly 2 anywhere on the internet, so I suppose this one is yet to be released overseas (meaning, stateside). I could be wrong, though. But here in the Philippines, this just dropped today. At any rate, this CW of black, venom green and white (or perhaps "venom green" to be more specific) isn't too busy or loud. The laces look like some kind of snake, which isn't really bad either. Personally, the laces seem to have just enough flash on their own. But the shoe, however. The shoe. Well, I'm not really a fan of this colorway. But hey, someone somewhere could be.

Air Jordan 1 Black: Basketball Referee Shoes

In basketball, kicks are almost always associated with the players. But have you ever wondered about the shoes that referees wear on court? The rules usually dictate that the officials should wear black shoes, among other aspects of their outfit. With the release of the Air Jordan 1 in an all-black colorway, referees now have one more option to their arsenal of kicks. Or make that two since the Air Jordan 1 all-black comes in low and mid-top versions. The low-top sells for Php 5,295 a pair while the mid costs Php 5,995.

The low features the classic Air Jordan Wings logo at the heel, the jumpan logo on the tongue, and "23" at the lace tab/hole on the tongue. On the other hand, the mid has the jumpman logo at the heel the jumpman Air on the tongue. Click the image for a closer view of the Air Jordan 1 Black. More photos after the jump.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite All-Star Game (ASG): Possible Colorway Implementation

Despite the apparent dislike of many people over the high-top design of the Nike Kobe 9 Elite, there is no doubt that there is anticipation over the release of the "Masterpiece" this February 8. A few days ago, I've gone over the possible minimum retail price of the Kobe 9 Elite here in the Philippines. Recently, leaked information over at Nike Talk suggests that there will be an All Star Game (ASG) version of the Kobe 9 Elite. Based on the info, the Kobe 9 ASG is set to release this February 14 over at Foot Locker Europe. The shoes will carry a black base with accents of metallic gold and white. There are no photos yet of the actual shoes, so I decided to come-up with how they may look like. I may be wrong, of course.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite ASG possible colorway implementation

Will sneaker heads like this one? I don't know. A simple change in colorway will most likely not convince those who dislike the high-top KB9 Elite from changing preferences overnight. Be that as it may, the KB9 Elite ASG will most likely be a limited release. Which means availability is not that high, unlike general releases such as, say, most of the KB8 System colorways.

Nike Zoom Hyperrev: Overpriced in the Philippines?

Today, major Nike outlets in the Philippines released the Nike Zoom Hyperrev. I've noticed many were anticipating for these shoes to release in the country. And why not? Full-length zoom at $120 is a steal these days. Except that, when the shoes finally hit the stores, they weren't really priced at $120. To be exact, they cost P7,995. Seven thousand and nine hundred ninety-five pesos. Such wow.

Jordan CP3.VII and Nike Zoom Hyperrev price comparison.

To put things in perspective, consider the Jordan CP3.VII, which costs $125. When the CP3.VIIs were finally released in the Philippines, they were priced at P6,795. What costs $125 were being sold for P6,795. That's the CP3.VII. And then we have the Nike Zoom Hyperrev, which, again, costs $120. But when they were released in the country, they were priced at P7,995. What cost $120 were being sold for P7,995. Something is terribly, terribly wrong here.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite Masterpiece to Retail at P12,595?

Today, January 8, major Nike retailers in the Philippines will release the Flyknit Air Max. The confirmed price for these running shoes? P12,595. Twelve thousand five hundred and ninety-five pesos. I had to pick my jaw from the floor, not solely because of the obvious high cost, but because of what it entails for the price of the Nike Kobe 9 Elite "Masterpiece" once it hits the local shelves.

Nike Kobe 9 Elite Masterpiece, left. Nike Flyknit Air Max, right.

You see, the Flyknit Air Max retails at $224.99 in US Dollars. Meanwhile, the Kobe 9 is expected to retail this February 8 at $225. All things being equal, the price comparison can only imply one thing: the price for the Kobe 9 Elite will most likely be P12,595 as well. Ouch!

Filipino Retro Kicks: Black Superman

Last 2013 in the Kicks edition of Slam Magazine Philippines, Jay P. Mercado wrote an article about the on-court kicks of Filipino players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Except that the story covered the 70s to the 80s.

Black Superman by Grosby
Image from http://grosbyphilippines.weebly.com

Carrying the headline When Grosby and Kaypee Ruled the Game, it was a nod to the history of basketball performance shoes in the Philippines, a time when "local kicks -- proudly Philippine-made -- dominated the PBA sneaker game."