Klay Thompson is set to make his inaugural visit to Manila as a part of the ANTA Squad Asia Tour 2023, accompanied by fellow ANTA Athlete and Golden State Warriors teammate, Kevon Looney. The tour commences on August 26, encompassing initial stops in Xiamen, Chengdu, and Shanghai, before landing in Manila for a two-day stay on August 31 and September 1.
Thompson will take the opportunity to unveil his latest ANTA signature sneaker, the KT9, adding excitement to the much-awaited release.
In anticipation of this launch, ANTA recently reintroduced a limited edition retro version of the KT1 ‘Legacy’ colorway in white and gold. This iteration pays homage to the roots of the franchise.
Meanwhile, the limited edition KT8 ‘Legacy’ colorway commemorates the journey of Thompson’s partnership with ANTA.
JP Paglinawan, ANTA Group Philippines General Manager, expressed, “We eagerly anticipate bringing Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney closer to their Filipino fans through this tour. For the Shock The Game national finals, we chose the Mega Fashion Hall to accommodate as many fans as possible, enabling them to share the experience with Klay and Kevon for free.”
He also noted the opportune timing, coinciding with the FIBA World Cup, making it an exciting period for basketball enthusiasts in the Philippines.
During their Manila visit, Thompson and Looney will also attend the national finals of Shock The Game-Philippines 2023. This 4-on-4 full-court basketball tournament, hosted by ANTA, features the top 16 streetball teams in the country, qualifying through elimination legs held in Cebu, Pampanga, Cavite, and various Metro Manila locations.
Having run successfully in China for seven years across 100 cities, the Philippine edition is now in its second year and is the sole tournament outside of the mainland.
Moreover, Thompson’s stay will include an exclusive basketball camp, Camp Klay, designed for 25 selected athletes, primarily from the PBA, UAAP, and NCAA.
Focusing on shooting, the clinic will be conducted in collaboration with Thompson and prominent local coaches.
Marking the occasion, the ANTA Basketball Store at SM Aura, the first basketball-exclusive ANTA boutique in Manila, is set to officially open on August 31, graced by Thompson and Looney.
Mikko Abello, ANTA Group Philippines Marketing Manager, shared the brand’s enthusiasm, saying, “We’re thrilled for Klay and Kevon to immerse themselves in our basketball culture and eagerly await their welcome by fans in Manila on August 31 during the Shock The Game national finals.
“This year has been full of excitement for ANTA, and the debut visit of Klay and Kevon to the Philippines marks another significant milestone for the brand in the local scene.”
