Nike’s treat for readers

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson There’s a new color line of a Nike basketball shoe that will be introduced to the world market in March, specifically when the US NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) welcomes the top 64 varsity teams to the playoffs called the March Madness.

Coach Norman Black, who played for the NCAA Division I school St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania before suiting up for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and later the Philippine Basketball Association, refers to March Madness as the "Last Dance" where the top 64 varsity teams engage in a series of knockout games leading to the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four and the championship showdown.

The shoe is the handsome performance shoe Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4, March Madness edition, in two color combinations. One shoe is in red, white and black. The other is in grey, blue and white.

The Huarache is actually a reborn shoe, customized for the new generation. In the 1992-93 season, Nike brought out the Air Flight Huaraches during the March Madness and the University of Michigan’s Fab Five–Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson–wore the shoes proudly.

Nike’s Rely San Agustin said the Huarache, fondly known as "the sandal," is a revolutionary lightweight, supportive, futuristic hoop shoe for players at the highest level–a perfect blend of past, present and future.

"It’s one of the most comfortable shoes ever made," noted San Agustin. "The 2K4 version combines simple sophistication, sleek profile and incredible details with a little bit of heritage drawn from its predecessor."

The shoe features a carbon fiber midfoot shank for extra stability and a springy effect, an integrated strap to lock the foot over the foot bed, symmetrical malleolus windows for enhanced ankle fit, external heel counter, ultra-thin lightweight leather and suede in a seamless one-piece upper and a herringbone sole pattern for maximum traction.

Maryland, St. John’s University, Arizona, Duke, Kentucky and the University of Connecticut are among the NCAA Division I schools whose players will wear the Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 in this year’s March Madness.

Before the March Madness, Nike will unveil a limited edition Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 model in All-Star colors (red, white and blue) to coincide with the NBA All-Star festivities in Los Angeles this weekend.

The All-Star Huaraches will be worn by Jermaine O’Neal, Ron Artest, Paul Pierce, Michael Redd, Sam Cassell, Dirk Nowitzki, Brad Miller, Andrei Kirilenko for the All-Star Game on Sunday, Rashard Lewis and Cuttino Mobley for the 3-point shootout on Saturday and Carlos Boozer, Manu Ginobili, Marko Jaric, Tayshaun Prince, Amare Stoudemire, Udonis Haslem and Jarvis Hayes in the Rookies-Sophomores contest on Friday.

The All-Star limited edition has a white base, blue swoosh, red toe protector, grey mesh ankle support vent, blue Huarache belt strap, a red-and-blue sole and a white-and-blue heel protector.

San Agustin said only 30 pairs of the All-Star Huaraches will be sold exclusively at Nike Park in Glorietta 4, Makati, starting Valentines’ Day, Feb. 14. Each pair will sell for P6,995. Since the All-Star model is a limited edition, the inventory will not be replenished. Once the 30 pairs go, that’s it. The shoe will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because you’re special, Nike is making available four pairs of the All-Star Huaraches to lucky Star readers.

Here’s how to win a pair of the Nike All-Star Huaraches.

Write your answers to three questions on a slip of paper. Make sure your answers are correct. Don’t forget to write your name, age, address, telephone number, occupation (if student, what school and what level), signature and your Nike basketball shoe size. Each entry must be accompanied by an actual clipping of a Philippine Star sports masthead showing the date of the newspaper. Send your entry in a sealed envelope addressed to "A Sporting Chance" Huarache contest, Philippine Star, 13th and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Metro Manila. One entry, one envelope. Your deadline is Thursday, Feb. 12, 5 p.m.

We will choose only four winners with correct answers to the questions in a raffle. The winners will be contacted by Ms. Babes Angat on the phone after 5 p.m., Thursday. The four lucky readers will claim their shoes at Nike Park, Glorietta 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. Winners must present their IDs to Ms. Angat and Nike Park operations manager Caloy Caubang who will wait at the store to award the shoes.

The three questions are:

1. Name any two of the University of Michigan Fab Five players who wore the Nike Air Flight Huaraches during the 1992-93 Midnight Madness.

2. Name any two NBA players who will wear the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 All-Star limited edition at the NBA All-Star Game this Sunday.

3. What is the Huarache fondly known as?

If you read this column closely, you’ll know the answers. Remember, you only have up to Thursday, 5 p.m., to send in your entries. Win a limited edition Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 All-Star shoe. Don’t delay. Bring your entries to The Philippine Star now.