ALL-STAR Heat: The Best Kicks of UAAP Season 88

By Johann Callo. Follow his work here.

The stage in UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball came with more than highlight plays and tight finishes. It also turned into a runway for the best kicks in the league, a mix of fresh colorways, bold customs, and signature models that exhibited their own stories. Every player brought something different, and the moment the lights hit the floor, their shoes were as loud as the action.

This feature rounds up the standouts. From pairs that pushed style to pairs built purely for performance, we tracked the looks that turned heads and stayed true to the players who wore them. Season 88 had no shortage of heat, and these are the kicks that set the tone:

Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Protro “Moonwalker”

Worn by: Jorick Bautista (FEU) & Jake Figueroa (NU)

Beaverton’s shoe brand recently debuted another Kobe Protro featuring the classic Kobe 9 Elite Low “Moonwalker”. The colorway pays tribute to one of Kobe’s favorite musicians, Michael Jackson. The sneaker features a Hyper Grape Flyknit upper, while the moonrock-inspired graphic on the translucent outsole pays homage to the King of Pop’s iconic moonwalk. Dynamic Flywire cables, carbon fiber midsole, and gray Swoosh accents and tongue logo area are also included in Mamba’s 9th sneaker. 

Air Jordan 39 “Kiefer Ravena” PE

Worn by: Kymani Ladi (ADMU)

Ateneo’s one-and-done standout Kymani Ladi pays homage to Kiefer Ravena as he wore his AJ39 PE at the renovated Blue Eagle Gym. The former King Eagle became the first Filipino player to be signed and receive a Player Exclusive sneaker with Jordan Brand. The shoe embodied national pride and the spirit of Filipino basketball by showcasing the vibrant colors of the country’s flag. The shoe features a blue mesh and textile upper, complemented with red and yellow accents on the tongue and heel. They also added a full-length Zoom Air Unit with ZoomX foam for explosiveness. 

Nike KD IV 

Worn by: Waki Espina (ADMU)

After its first release in 2011, Nike revived one of the most iconic silhouettes in KD’s signature line after a 13-year hiatus. Nike surprised the basketball world & kicks scene after announcing the comeback of the KD IV. The sneaker combines lightweight performance along with aesthetic colorways. The most recognizable feature is the Adaptive midfoot strap. The shoe utilizes a Hyperfuse technology in the synthetic upper for durability. A Phylon midsole and a Zoom Air unit provide cushioning and responsiveness. To finish the detail, a rubber outsole offers versatile traction for a strong grip. 

adidas Harden Vol. 9 

Worn by: Nic Cabanero (UST) & Janrey Pasaol (FEU)

James Harden’s signature line has evolved with the three stripes thanks to its impressive performance and futuristic designs. These colourways, such as “Flamingo Pink” and “Dynamo,” show an eye-catching design to the sneaker. The shoe features a ventilated textile upper with durable TPU overlays for stability during agile movements. They also provide BOOST in the midsole and Lightstrike cushioning for responsiveness, along with the rubber outsole for traction. This shoe is perfect for Harden’s stepback jumpers and shifty moves. 

Nike Kobe 6 Protro

Worn by: Kean Baclaan (DLSU) & Forth Padrigao (UST)

The Kobe 6 Protro is one of the most iconic kicks in Kobe’s signature lineup thanks to its top-tier performance and sleek design. A variety of colorways were dropped this year, but the “Sail” and “Dodgers” stand out for me. The design of the “Sail” colorway nods to this year’s NBA All-Star festivities, while the “Dodgers” colorway pays tribute to LA’s MLB Franchise and the city’s sports culture. Designed with performance and style in mind, the shoe incorporates a snakeskin-textured upper, paying homage to the Black Mamba persona. A Flywire lacing system was featured in the upper, while a Cushlon midsole and Zoom Air cushioning in the heel for comfort and support. To finish the detail, they also added a rubber outsole with a durable traction pattern for agile movements. 

ANTA KAI 2 “King of the Court”

Worn by: Reyland Torres (UP) 

After parting ways with Nike, Kyrie has officially transferred to ANTA to continue his signature line. The “King of the Court” colorway honors Uncle Drew’s unmatched skill and dominance on the court. The silhouette features a ‘1v1 King’ belt in the Velcro strap and a blue primary tone echoing the Mavericks’ main color and Kyrie’s calm and killer instinct. Built for speed and quickness, the sneaker provides an engineered mesh upper and NitroEdge foam midsole for responsive cushioning. They also added an arrowed TPU frame and rubber outsole with multi-directional traction for durability and grip. 

Nike Kobe 8 Protro

Worn by: Dom Escobar (ADMU) & Mathew Montebon (ADU)

Originally released in 2013, Nike impressed the basketball and sneaker community by reintroducing Kobe’s eighth signature sneaker in a Protro form to celebrate Mamba’s legacy. Some iconic colorways have made a revival, such as the “What The” and “Venice Beach”. The “What The” is a unique mismatched sneaker that combines various Kobe 8 colorways, while the “Venice Beach” is a canvas inspired by the vibrant culture of the Los Angeles neighborhood. The sneaker is built with an engineered lightweight upper for breathable support and an updated Cushlon midsole with a springy Zoom Air unit in the forefoot. It also features a translucent rubber outsole with a herringbone traction pattern for superior traction and a heel counter for stability. 

PUMA MB. 01 “Rick and Morty

Worn by: Gani Stevens

The PUMA MB.01 received its first ever collaboration with the cartoon show “Rick and Morty”. The kicks pay homage to LaMelo Ball’s favorite Adult Swim show. It provides a mismatched design with slime green palette on the left and vibrant crimson tones on the right. LaMelo’s first ever PUMA sneaker features an engineered mesh upper and 3D printed overlays for stability. They also added a full-length Nitro Foam midsole for cushioning and responsiveness and a high-traction rubber outsole for solid grip and traction. 

adidas Dame X “Bulldog”

Worn by: Paul Francisco (NU)

Inspired by the impressive run and on-court dominance of the NU Bulldogs this season, the three striped brand released an exclusive royal blue and yellow Dame X colorway built for National U’ school colors. The sneaker is powered with a lightweight textile upper for breathability and 3D printed overlays for support. A Lightstrike cushioning midsole and a rubber outsole with multi-directional traction enables dynamic cuts and agile moves

SPO Player 1 Plus “Wish 2.0”

Worn by: John Abate (UE)

The Serious Player Only has become one of the most recognized brands in the basketball sneaker community lately, thanks to its game-changing kicks and high-level performance footwear. The Player 1 Plus comes with a low-to-the-ground court feel paired with durable traction. It is also incredibly lightweight, featuring its breathable knit upper and TPU wires for support and stability. Replaceable drop-in midsoles also provide better bounce and protection. The sneaker is engineered to be a versatile option that can be played both indoors and outdoors.