Selected rookie hopefuls gather for 2nd Under Armour x Slam PH PBA Draft Suite
Rookie hopefuls pose for photos at the UA x Slam PH PBA Draft Suite at Maxims Hotel.
Before their names get called in the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft, the top prospects gathered on Monday for the second annual Draft Suite at Maxims Hotel in Resorts World Manila.
Consensus top two picks Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, San Beda’s Garvo Lanete, Baser Amer and Art dela Cruz, NCAA MVP Scottie Thompson, Ateneo’s Chris Newsome and Fil-American guards Maverick Ahanmisi and Simon Enciso, National University’s Glenn Khobuntin, University of Santo Tomas’ Aljon Mariano and Mapua’s Josan Nimes were shown a glimpse of what lies ahead for them as professional players.
SLAM Philippines teamed up with Under Armour, who has emerged as one of the most popular sports brand worldwide, to make the event happen.
“It’s the second annual Draft Suite. Why do we have this? It’s the entry point. It’s how we connect, it’s how we introduce the future stars of basketball to reporters, to influencers, to brands,” said SLAM Magazine PH editor-in-chief Mico Halili.
“It’s our way of recognizing that these guys are going to be the ambassadors of the sport for a long time and as SLAM we feel responsible for treating them and you know what, get use to this, get use to being pampered, get use to the attention,” Halili said. “It’s sort of a rehearsal for them.”
Maverick Ahanmisi. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The players were given an option to have a haircut and a shave a service provided by Titan Barbershop before doing interviews with the media and treated to a sumptuous buffet.
The players were also given the latest pair kicks from Under Armour, the UA Curry low, worn by no other than NBA champion and MVP Stephen Curry, who will be in Manila on Sept. 5 as part of his Asian Tour.
“When they go to bigger events, they start playing games and they get more followers on social media and now they’re getting a taste of how it is to be bigger personalities and we’re more than happy to provide these kinds of experience for these young guys and for many of them, it’s their first time to get this much attention and that’s why we love holding this event every year,” Halili added.
Under Armour Curry Low. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
“They go in they get a shave, they get a haircut, they get all these great goodies and they feel this is what you’ve been working hard for.”
“It’s a great event. I was nervous when I got here seeing all the bright lights and cameras,” said the University of Minnesota product Ahanmisi, who made a name for himself in PH basketball scene as a key cog of the Cafe France Bakers in the PBA D-League. “I’ve gone through something like this before but here in the Philippines, it’s a whole different atmosphere and to be part of this is just a blessing.”
De La Salle’s Norbert Torres and University of the East’s Roi Sumang were also invited but weren’t able to come. Torres is still training in Canada while Sumang did not confirm.
The 2015 Gatorade Rookie Draft is scheduled for August 23 at Robinson’s Midtown in Ermita, Manila.
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