Arenas graces UAAP showdown

ALREADY a sure-fire hit with their deep-seated rivalry, the Ateneo-La Salle showdown on Sunday (July 6) gets an extra push with National Basketball Association (NBA) star Gilbert Arenas making a special appearance at the Araneta Coliseum.

An adidas endorser, Arenas will share some insights on his experiences in basketball and brotherhood as he visits both teams in their respective dugouts. Both the Green Archers and the Blue Eagles are adidas-supported teams.

“Ateneo-La Salle matches have always been the most celebrated games in the history of the UAAP [University Athletic Association of the Philippines]. Theirs is the greatest rivalry in the league that never fails to bring alumni and basketball fans alike. We are committed to supporting both teams, so we are bringing one of the world’s best NBA players to inspire and motivate them in their games,” said adidas managing director Joey Singian.

As partner, adidas has the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell Ateneo and La Salle branded apparel. Moreover, players of both schools will be sporting adidas-made uniforms and shoes during their UAAP games. The fan-wear collection includes jackets, polo shirts, graphic tees and other accessories.

“We are looking forward to meeting Arenas,” said Ateneo team captain Chris Tiu, who remains confident of his team’s chances against the Archers.

“We have been working so hard training for the past weeks. We believe we can win. We believe in each other, and we play as a team. We are Ateneans, and proud to be Ateneans,” said Tiu.

But the Archers have vowed to dish out their best and foil their rivals’ bid to thwart their back-to-back title drive with an intact roster that includes cocaptains JV Casio, Rico Maierhofer and PJ Walsham.

“We will give it our all. We have to work hard because everyone wants to take the crown from us,” said Casio.

The UAAP visit serves as the highlight of Arenas’ Agent Zero Tour 2008 slated July 5 to 8, which features the launch of his new signatures shoes, cage clinics, mall tours and community events.

Before the UAAP game, the Washington Wizards ace playmaker will visit adidas concept stores at SM Mall of Asia at 11 a.m. and Rockwell store at 2 p.m. After the Ateneo-La Salle game, he heads to the adidas store at TriNoma at 5 p.m. to be followed by the Agent Zero Tour 2008 statement show, also at the TriNoma Activity Center at 6 p.m.

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Arenas graces UAAP showdown

ALREADY a sure-fire hit with their deep-seated rivalry, the Ateneo-La Salle showdown on Sunday (July 6) gets an extra push with National Basketball Association (NBA) star Gilbert Arenas making a special appearance at the Araneta Coliseum.

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