Far Eastern University has found a new outfitter.
The Tamaraws’ coaching staff, led by chief mentor Olsen Racela, wore gold polo shirts bearing the logo of sportswear giant Puma during their UAAP Season 85 encounter with the University of the Philippines, Saturday.
Details regarding the new partnership remain scarce as of the moment, but what’s certain is that the school has put an end to its tie-up with Nike.
FEU was with the Swoosh brand for 20 long years.
It began in 2002 and was undeniably a successful one as it yielded a total of four UAAP gold medals — from the Arwind Santos era in 2003-05 to the most recent one in 2015 led by Mac Belo and other future PBA stars.
Among the other highlights of that relationship were NBA greats Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, and the late Kobe Bryant all wore FEU jerseys during their respective guestings in Nike-hosted events in Manila.
But all that is in the past now as the Tams are beginning a new chapter with the German brand, who’s enjoying a renaissance in the hoops world when it relaunched its basketball line some four years ago.
The men’s team has actually been wearing Puma footwear since the season opener, ranging from the Clyde Hardwood to the Triple.
It remains to be seen if the deal will also include the other varsity squads as the women’s cage and both the football and volleyball teams wore Nike before.
Puma now becomes the fourth major brand to enter the UAAP market after Nike (La Salle), Jordan (Ateneo), and Anta (UST and Adamson).
