Recommended Video
The DLSU Green Archers and UP Fighting Maroons certainly brought the heat in their UAAP Men’s Basketball title trilogy.
DLSU and UP’s third-straight UAAP Men’s Basketball finals certainly didn’t disappoint, with the Green Archers taking home their 11th championship after a thrilling three-game series against the Fighting Maroons.
Throughout their battle for a coveted UAAP crown, both teams have also brought out the best pairs from their sneaker rotations, ranging from coveted pairs, to general releases that surely became a hit for all types of sneakerheads.
With the UAAP Season 88 finals now in the history books, here are some of the top pairs we’ve spotted from both UP and newly-minted champs DLSU.
DLSU Green Archers
Jacob Cortez
Kicking off our sneaker spotting is DLSU’s Jacob Cortez, who wore the unreleased “What The” Nike Book 1s as part of his rotation. Jacob has been rocking a variety of Book 1s throughout UAAP Season 88, including the rare Forest Gump and Black Label colorways. Given this, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he pulled out an equally-rare pair on his way to a maiden UAAP title.
We’d like to ask, though, who Jacob’s sneaker plug is, as the colorway isn’t expected to release until December 19.
Kean Baclaan
A huge Kobe guy, a part of Kean Baclaan’s UAAP finals rotation has been the Kobe 4 “CHBL”, a bright yellow colorway that pays tribute to Kobe Bryant’s basketball legacy in China. The colorway is reportedly inspired from one of the Black Mamba’s memorable coaching moment from 2016, when he asked a player to redo his sprint drills at the Kobe Academy in Shanghai.
As a personal touch, Kean also wrote the name of his daughter, Talyna, by the midsole.
Vhoris Marasigan
Sabrina 3s have been the weapon of choice for Vhoris Marasigan, who came up huge in Game 3 to close out the Fighting Maroons. Throughout the Season 88 Finals, we’ve spotted him wearing Sabrina Ionescu’s latest sneakers in the “Silencer” colorway.
Perhaps it was a fitting choice for Vhoris, given that the pastel tones are reportedly inspired by Sabrina’s ability to thrive in the clutch.
Mason Amos
In another Sabrina 3 spotting, here is returning forward Mason Amos rocking the “Me vs. Me” colorway, a straightforward design that includes a snowy white base, and metallic Nike Swooshes in red and silver.
Simple, but it gets the job done.
Earl Abadam
Book 1s have been the sneaker of choice for Earl Abadam throughout the Season 88 Finals, and here he is wearing the beloved low-top in the “Sunrise” colorway. While Earl isn’t a stranger to wearing more limited releases, he’s decided to keep it simple for this year’s title fight.
Mike Phillips
Prior to wearing the “Dynamo” Harden Vol. 9s, Mike Phillips was seen wearing the Jalen “J-Dub” Williams player edition of James Harden’s signature sneaker. With colors inspired by the animated series Pinky and the Brain, it was hard not to notice these when Motor Mike rocked them on the court.
UP Fighting Maroons
Gerry Abadiano
In his last UAAP finals with UP, captain Gerry Abadiano has relied on the Kobe 9 EM Low Protro in the “Mambacita” colorway, a gradient pair that serves as Nike’s latest tribute to Kobe Bryant’s late daugher Gigi.
Harold Alarcon
Another die-hard Nike Kobe guy, Harold Alarcon closed out his State U chapter in the iconic Kobe 6s, wearing a Caitlin Clark PE throughout the three-game war against DLSU. Harold’s preference for these Kobes can be compared to Jacob Cortez and his Book 1s, with both players rocking a variety of coveted colorways from the respective models.
Rey Remogat
In his first UAAP finals, Rey Remogat wore the Anta Scalpel 2 in a purple and black colorway, which might just be another sleeper hit from the Chinese brand.
Jacob Bayla
As another adidas athlete, here is defensive whiz Jacob Bayla with a pair of Harden 9s coming in the “Flamingo Pink” colorway. First seen on the Harden Vol. 7s, the Flamingo Pinks are a vibrant design that surely stands out whenever Jacob is on the floor for State U.
Reyland Torres
Now here’s a pair that surely turned heads throughout the Season 88 Finals. In his own collegiate swan song, Reyland Torres has decided to wear some Anta Kai 2s in the “King of the Court” colorway, an all-blue pair that’s inspired by Kyrie Irving’s 1v1 triumph during a Dallas Mavericks team practice.
A standout detail in these Kai 2s are the strap, which is inspired by the “championship belt” that Kyrie won at the end of the 1v1 challenge.
Francis Nnoruka
Finally there’s big man Francis Nnoruka, one of State U’s steady performers throughout this year’s finals. The Nigerian big is likely feeling the spirit of the holidays, having rocked the Christmas colorway of the Nike LeBron 22s against DLSU for the championship.
Any sneakers that caught your eye in our list?
Images by Kieran Punay/KLIQ Inc.