Nike Basketball Inside Access: Basketball’s Deep Roots In The Philippines
February 5th, 2013 by John K. | 4 comments
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Nike Basketball’s Inside Access series continues with this rare look into the profound influence of the sport in the Philippines – one of the most hoop-crazed nations in the world. It’s a sport that was present in daily physical education curriculum as far back as 1910, when the American colonial government first introduced the sport to the nation, and today, it’s a sport weaved into daily life, with an astounding 81% of the population claiming to be fans. Basketball participation exists on several levels – from basic pick-up games to pro tournaments, and with Nike Basketball’s presence, American stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant have become iconic figures – with Kobe’s signature shoe line being a particular favorite. Today, the basketball craze in the Philippines has reached the digital realm, with the Nike Basketball Facebook page in the country being one of the most active in the world. Take a look through the gallery of rare imagery of Kobe Bryant and Nike Basketball in the Philippines below.
Mabuhay and God bless Pilipinas! Good luck to our Pilipinas Basketball team in the upcoming Fiba Asia 2013.
I understand Philippines is the birthplace of basketball in Asia and have dominated the Asian championships until China's emergence in the 80's.
Filipinos are natural hoopsters. Only height is their biggest handicap for a sport that needs height and heft.
I would like them to beat China in the future to prove that height is not necessarily an advantage and having a strong fundamentals of basketball and fluid team play could get the job done.
ateneo blue eagle
ateneo bano