LA Tenorio, one of the country’s top guards today. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
A generational talent, LeBron James is a rare breed of basketball player who possesses the prodigious patchwork of athleticism, efficiency, court vision and basketball savvy.
Always in combat mode, James is also a warrior on the court and aspect of his game that Filipino ballers could very much relate to.
And it’s only fitting that James released a shoe in honor of the Filipino warrior.
“Mula sa Mandirigma, Para sa Mandirigma (From a warrior to another warrior),” the LeBron Soldier 12 ‘Agimat’ best resembles James’ pursuit of greatness and passion for the game and the Filipino baller, who never backs down from anyone.
LA Tenorio, one of the top point guards in the Philippines, personifies what a Filipino warrior is all about.
Like James, Tenorio overcame adversities and defied the odds on his way to basketball stardom.
Tenorio, who plays point guard for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA, was among the first to lace up the Soldier 12 ‘Agimat’ during a trial session at Titan Hypercourt at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
“As a Filipino, I’m very honored and very blessed to be part of this event and have the opportunity to wear this. It’s really a nice feeling to know LeBron is paying tribute to Filipinos,” he said. “Being a former national team player, it’s really an honor and blessing to be wearing the shoes that is Philippine-inspired.”
LeBron Soldier 12 “Agimat.”
Tenorio played with and against select members of the media, who also had the experience of testing the shoe, in a 3-on-3 tournament.
Apart from Tenorio, PBA stars Paul Lee, Jayson Castro and Chris Newsome also graced the event.
The Soldier 12 ‘Agimat’ are also worn by the members of the Philippine men’s and women’s teams competing in the Fiba 3×3 World Cup.
The ‘Agimat’ will release starting on June 15 globally, including the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.