“Ready ka na ba?” [Are you ready?]
This was what LGR executive vice president Rhayan Cruz heard before responding affirmatively on the phone earlier this year. The man on the other side of the phone call was Dan Palami, manager of the Philippines men’s national football team. Apparently, they were talking about a historic deal between the two teams which are both on the rise in their respective fields.
Eight days before opening their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers campaign, the Azkals, unveiled their monumental kits tailored by local kit manufacturer LGR Athletic Wears Inc. before the invited guests and members of the media at the SPARTA Sports Complex in Mandaluyong City. The evening marked a historic event in the history of Philippine football as LGR became the first Filipino brand that will supply kits for the national football team.
LGR Executive Vice President Rhayan Cruz shared that the partnership was three years in the making. “Actually nagsimula yung Azkals and LGR noong 2012, laban ng Malaysia and Philippines. Starting noon, hindi naman nawala yung ties ng LGR with Azkals,” he recalled. Three years later, Cruz got a call from Dan Palami, the Azkals’ manager where the idea of having a Filipino company produce outfits for the Azkals eventually came to fruition. Prior to the entry of LGR, the Azkals wore kits made by Japanese manufacturer Mizuno and renowned global German brand Puma since their rise to popularity in 2010.
The deal is a milestone for LGR, who have also the distinction of providing apparel for the Philippine men’s and women’s national volleyball teams and the Philippine canoe, kayak, and rowing team. Apart from that, they have also been busy in producing sporting attire for teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), United Football League (UFL), and the Philippine Super Liga (PSL). Looking forward, Cruz is targeting to get more Philippine national teams to wear LGR-made uniforms. “Sana makausap ko sila lahat and tingin ko doon din pupunta,” he uttered optimistically. The newly-launched Azkals’ kits are available in Bootcamp outlets and will also be purchased soon in mall chains near you.
