By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--It is official: Gilas Pilipinas is now powered by three stripes.
Adidas will now be the national basketball team program's official outfitter, taking over from longtime rival Nike.
Both Adidas and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas simultaneously announced the development on Friday, with SBP president Al Panlilio breaking the news during the national sports association's national congress in Pasig.
This will be the first time Adidas will be manufacturing the jerseys of the Philippine basketball team in the Gilas era, 23 years since the apparel brand took charge of the kits used by Philippine team during the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.
Adidas has been aggressive in locking in official outfitter agreements with various Philippine-based teams recently.
Adidas previously agreed in terms of becoming the official outfitter of the Philippine women's football team and also the Philippine team to last year's Paris Olympics, which netted two golds courtesy of Carlos Yulo.
Adidas is now also in charge of the sports kits used by the entire National University varsity team in the ongoing UAAP season.
The Adidas logo will be seen on Gilas' jerseys in all levels, from the 5-on-5 to the 3x3 ranks, very soon, in time for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup this August.
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