ANTA Philippines has added fresh faces to its growing list of ambassadors in incoming National University rookies Vince Reyes and Dwyne Miranda.
The local arm of the Chinese sporting goods giant signed the young Bulldogs to separate three-year deals and formally introduced them as its newest endorsers before members of the media at its headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Thursday.
Both UAAP student-athletes were accompanied by NU head coach Jeff Napa during the signing ceremony, which was led by ANTA Philippines Marketing Manager Mikko Abello.
“We’re very excited to have these two guys join us for the next three years,” offered Abello. “We’re excited to see what they can do with ANTA.”
Miranda and Reyes — both of whom are eligible to make their UAAP debuts in Season 89 that opens this September — expressed gratitude for being given the chance to be part of a global brand, being up-and-coming hoopers themselves.
“Sobrang blessed po na mabigyan po ako ng ganitong opportunity,” said the son of former PBA point guard Denok Miranda. “Para sa akin, once-in-a-lifetime lang po ‘to na may kumuha sa akin na brand at makapag-endorse.”
“Thankful talaga ako dahil siyempre, pangarap ko lang ‘to dati,” Reyes said, on the other hand. “Tapos ngayon, nagkaroon ng opportunity na magkaroon. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ma-e-explain kung gaano ako kasaya na nangyari ‘to.”
Napa couldn’t be any prouder of this milestone that his prized recruits have achieved, having been part of the ANTA family for three years now.
“I’ve been here for three years na, dito sa ANTA. Tried and tested ko na talaga. And siyempre, ‘yung trato sa akin ng big bosses dito, parang pamilya,” he said.
“Hindi mahirap na tanungin ‘yung dalawang players ko, na promising, kung gusto nilang subukan kung ano ‘yung maibibigay sa kanila ng ANTA family,” added Napa, who’s also been coaching in the PBA with Terrafirma.
Reyes and Miranda are the latest NU Bulldogs to be named ANTA ambassadors, joining star playmaker Steve Nash Enriquez, who, after winning championships in high school, led the Bulldogs’ senior team to three Final Four appearances.
They also join ANTA’s growing roster of collegiate endorsers, which includes UP guard Rey Remogat and San Beda’s Jomel Puno, among others.
On their first day as ANTA athletes, the two immediately received the ambassador treatment, posing for the cameras during a photo shoot while showcasing ANTA’s latest basketball shoe, the ANTA Shock Wave 8.
More names are expected to be added to ANTA Philippines’ roster in the coming weeks and months, as the brand continues its search for athletes who can best represent ANTA and help expand its reach in the local market.
