While we are used to seeing these cagers run up and down the court on normal game days, sweating and gasping for air, we witnessed how impeccable they can get when they took to the catwalk last Wednesday for Pormang PBA: A Fashion Show. It was a celebration of style in the PBA as the evolution of uniforms was traced.
The show started with real models strutting the uniforms of the Crispa and Toyota days in the ’70s. Short shorts and super tight jerseys were the "in" fashion as far as team uniforms were concerned. It’s as if team owners were cost-cutting as early as then. For the ’80s period, models donned shorts and jerseys with heavy designs such as stripes and logos. They also wore black sneakers and black socks to relive the days of uncomfortable uniform designs. It’s a good thing designers started realizing that these pieces of clothing got a tad heavier whenever it got wet of sweat. Imagine how uncomfortable players then must have been. The ’90s ushered in a looser fit pair of jersey and shorts, made of lightweight materials. And then of course, it evolved into the uniforms that we see now.
The first batch of players-cum-models went out to present the new uniforms the teams will be using for the 2003 PBA Season. Well, some aren’t exactly new. "Last year pa ‘yung uniform namin. Walang pagbabago. Maganda naman e," explained Willie Miller of Batang Red Bull. Newcomer John Ferriols had a valid point. "Kahit luma ’yung uniform namin (FedEx), bagong-bago for me ‘cause this is the first time I’m wearing it. And I’m excited na din to play at maipakita ko sa mga fans ng PBA ang laro ko," explained this former Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).
Fans at the Megastrip where the fashion show started joining in on the fun as they clapped and cheered for their basketball idols who came out in street clothes provided by sponsors. The likes of Chris Tan of Sta. Lucia, Kerby Raymundo of Purefoods and Mark Telan of Talk and Text worked up the crowd as they sashayed on the catwalk. Even the Captain, Alvin Patrimonio, gamely strutted his wares on stage.
Little did the now highly amused and entertained fans know that there was more to come. Highlight of the night came when the funky chillout music gave way to a new age background melody, cue for our hardcourt superstars to come out in their formal wear. 2002 Rookie of the Year Ren-Ren Ritualo of FedEx looked really spiffy in a funky suit. "Inspiration is the common designs that we normally see. I wanted to create pieces that they can wear during the day as well — elegant but not too stiff. I wanted the player’s personality to come out — fun-loving, playful," said Raoul Ramirez who designs the entire formal wear collection for the show.
Olsen Racela of San Miguel wore a similar design of cream and black. The fans obviously enjoyed his ala-John Travolta look which Rah-rah Racela took to another level as he kept striking the disco fever pose. This guy sure knows how to work up a crowd! Another guy who didn’t even have to try any special move to tickle the crowd was Mike Cortez of the Alaska Aces. I thought he looked really elegant in the three-piece gray suit. He moved down the catwalk with ease, exhibiting the confidence and savvy of a real model. Enrico Villanueva of Red Bull also elicited cheers from the crowd, never mind that he kept yawning in the backstage. Whether he was sleepy or tired or both, he certainly knew how to hide it. And he apparently knew how to waltz on stage as well!
As always, Rudy Hatfield of Coca-Cola and Mike Hrabak of Shell looked good, being two of the popular "pretty boys" of the league. Asi Taulava came out last and looking stunning in his barong-inspired attire that matched his popular blonde-dyed locks.
As if modeling wasn’t enough, the PBA Commissioner’s Office went on to exhibit the dancing and singing talents of our popular ballers. Fans who showed up in Eastwood last Friday had a blast watching the PBA Jam, the kick-off concert of the PBA 29th Season. And oh what a revelation that was!
The Coca-Cola Tigers opened the show with their dance moves. Now fans know that not only do the likes of Jeffrey Cariaso, Cris Bolado, Will Antonio and Estong Ballesteros have awesome moves inside the court, they also have decent grooves on the dance floor. Of course, everybody knows that Johnny Abarrientos really is a dancer at heart. Coca-Coca Tiger Rob Wainwright also got ‘jiggy with’ it with help from special friend LJ Moreno.
Joey Mente surprised everyone with a duet with singer Luke Mijares. The two did their own rendition of the RnB song, "Hot in Herre" by Nelly. "It’s getting hot in herre, so take off all your clothes"…sang Mente, one hand holding the microphone, the other pointing and pumping like a true concert artist.
Not to be outclassed was the ala-Boyz to Men performance of the Talk and Text players — Taulava, Long David and rookies Harvey Carey, Kahi Villa, and the total entertainer of all, complete with facial expression, a little bit of groove, and animated gestures, Jimmy Alapag. The group did an impressive version (or was that a lip-sync?) of "Water Runs Dry."
The Aces trio of Jon Ordonio, Rob Duat, and Migs Noble also performed a rap number with the band for the night. And the others who jammed with First Circle are Rob Johnson of Barangay Ginebra Kings, coach Ryan Gregorio with Patrimonio of Purefoods.
It was a fun week for the PBA and most especially for the fans. Now, it’s time to buckle down to work and dish out more revelations, this time, inside the hardcourt!
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