All-Star fashion

Thursday night was a one-of-a-kind event in basketball. As part of "Events at the Enterprise," a series of fashion shows, exhibits and performances at The Enterprise Center in Makati, twelve basketball personalities did a turn as fashion models in the latest collection of The Merger, presented by George Salud and designed by Dobie Aranda.

"They wanted it to be a bridal affair, but we had an idea and we thought of using basketball players who graciously accepted," reveals Yonina Chan of The Sharper Edge, the group that organized the event. "Because the artistas, they’re kind of used to the ramps and everybody sees them on camera. You see basketball players, it’s a new thing. It’s more than I imagined, I’m so happy with the turnout. And people really liked the players!"

"This is a spin-off from the way they usually see players," said an extremely pleased Aranda. "It’s a different look for them in a corporate style. And they’re not just the typical suits. They’re the "now" suits."

The very first one up on the ramp was none other than Elmer Yanga, whose crown of white hair made an elegant contrast to the black suit he carried with such dignity as he marched down the catwalk by himself.

"I’m kind of excited," the RFM Group’s senior vice-president admitted. "This is my first time to do this. I’m kind of excited. And, since I referred some of the players, I have to show leadership by example. I suppose I’m the Father of the Groom."

Since the group now had a veteran team manager, who would follow if not the coach? Purefoods’ Ryan Gregorio soon shared the stage with his rookie Paul Artadi and Coca-Cola’s Johnny Abarrientos.

"Every time we do something different, there’s always that anxiety or fear that you might make a mistake or trip or something," Gregorio says. "It’s different when I’m coaching, because I don’t think about the people around me. But every time you walk on the catwalk, all eyes are on you."

The big men came next, with Eric Reyes and Coke’s Poch Juinio sporting corduroy jackets and pants in a greenish shade of brown with black turtleneck sweaters underneath. Trailing them was another trio of guards in San Miguel Beer’s Olsen Racela, Boybits Victoria (whose knees were shaking) and Coca-Cola’s Gec Chia (who was so tense he had trouble mustering a smile), who all wore more casual jackets with silver buttons.

"I think people will look at the way we handle the clothes they gave us," presumed Chia. "It’s new because they usually model the brides. So now it’s us dressed as grooms."

Purefoods rookie PJ Simon was next, feeling very alone as the lights and attention were all on him. The Enterprise’s lobby was packed, and the predominantly female crowd was very appreciative.

"This is the first time this has happened to me," he admitted. "The ambiance is different. It’s formal, and with the suits, you really feel like walking down the ramp… just kidding. They just told us to be ourselves, smile a little bit."

Lastly came a pair of shooting guard in Sunkist-UST’s Alex Compton and St. Francis’s Roy Billanes. Compton even did a stand-upper while being interviewed for this story and The Basketball Show.

"The organizers wanted something novel for the event. Bridal affairs are kind of cliche, so we asked some friends like Mr. Yanga to help recruit them," adds Mina Caliguia, who helped coordinate the players’ participation. "And besides, they’re tall, they don’t have bellies. And they’re cute. You know, they’re really cute."

I’m sure many women in the audience would agree. More on the behind-the-scenes stories of this rare event in Monday’s column.

Catch the video of your favorite players dressed to kill on The Basketball Show over IBC-13 at 4 p.m.