Kobe Bryant meets Virgil Abloh in Chris Ross’ custom kicks

San Miguel guard Chris Ross rocking a custom pair of Kobe 6s during a PBA Philippine Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel’s Chris Ross is a man of both sports and fashion culture and he showed why in the Beermen’s latest conquest in the PBA Philippine Cup.

During San Miguel’s 113-110 escape of Terrafirma at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Ross wore a customized Nike Kobe 6 that’s sure to make sneakerheads and streetwear enthusiasts turn their heads at first look.

Instead of the usual design, Ross’ pair, which was dominantly bright yellow, had several nods to Virgil Abloh’s streetwear brand “Off-White” including a stitched-in swoosh logo complete with Abloh’s signature orange tag.

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“I got it customized maybe a couple months ago and I think I wore it on the Christmas Day game,” said Ross after the Beermen’s victory. “For me, I always say if you feel good and look good, you play good. I feel like I always try to put some nice kicks on so I could feel good out there. I’ve always been like that.”

The veteran guard’s pair also served as tribute to Bryant and Abloh, who both tragically passed away in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

“I like his (Abloh) work. God bless the dead, I really like his works, they’re hard to get but I’m a fan of him,” emphasized Ross when asked about his interest in the late designer’s art and clothing pieces.

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Ross even chuckled a bit when Inquirer Sports asked him about his collection of “Off-White” pieces.

“I got a few, man and I can’t even tell you how much I spent on them but I got a few [Off-White] pieces.”

And while it looked like Ross was going with the norm of wearing Kobe 6s—something most professional basketball players do lately—he reiterated that he’s still a big Jordan guy at heart.

But that didn’t hinder the Southeast Asian Games gold medalist from appreciating Bryant’s shoe line with Nike, even listing down his personal favorites.

“I’m a big-time Jordan guy so I like Jordan’s but the Kobe 6’s are, from that shoe line, something I like. [I] also [like] the 4’s and the 9’s, those are my top three. Maybe the 6’s are at second, the 4’s first and then the 9’s at third.”