The “G-Rising” stars featuring collegiate bets unveiled on stage at the G-Day, the launch of Gatorade’s new logo at the Hoops Center in Shaw last Monday. Photo: Celest R. Flores
MANILA, Philippines — What do championship celebrations — across all sports, and all over the world — have in common? An iconic Gatorade bath.
Seeing your head coach doused with a bottle full of ice cold Gatorade is a familiar scene — because in the world of sports, Gatorade is almost always synonymous to winning.
On Monday, Gatorade Philippines gave a new face to that brand — the new ‘G’ logo — which was a representation of “heart, hustle and soul” of athletes who are looking “for a winning edge,” according to a statement.
The “G-Day” launch was held at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Shaw, whose walls is emblazoned with quotes from NBA all-time best Michael Jordan and rising star Kevin Durant.
Gatorade also launched a set of new faces in local sports to help them take the brand into a whole new winning level.
The “G-Elite” featured professional athletes like PBA Stars LA Tenorio, football players Chieffy Caligdong, Phil and James Younghusband, and champion triathlete Ani De Leon-Brown.
James, who has been a long-time endorser of Gatorade, shared that Gatorade opened its door to them when football still wasn’t big here.
“[My brother and I] wanted to start a football camp. But that was before football became big. We went to others, and they turned us down. And when we came to Gatorade, they said ‘yes sure,” said James during an interview portion.
The G-Elite crew had a chance to battle the top performers in the interactive games like the “Hoops Corner” and “Endurance Hub.” PBA Stars Abueva and Tenorio both met their match that night.
James Forrester, a standout from Arellano, recorded a vertical leap of 32.7″, besting Abueva by just 0.2 inches. Jovit Dela Cruz, who plays from San Sebastian, beat Tenorio in the most points scored in the Hoops corner, 105-91.
Heading the “G Rising Stars,” meanwhile, were standouts from the UAAP men’s basketball, like Juami Tiongson, Jeric and Jeron Teng, Emmanuel Mbe, RR Garcia, Jericho Cruz and Henry Asilum.
UAAP volleybelles like Abi Maraño, Mika Reyes, Alyssa Valdez and Denden Lazaro are also part of the “G Rising Stars” list along with triathlon phenom Nikko Huelgas.
“I get to be able to be the brand ambassador and influence the sport because I want triathlon to be known, and hopefully we produce world champions,” said Huelgas.
Alongside the new look, Gatorade also reiterated its commitment to support the country’s top sports — from professional to collegiate — and other high profile sports events.