Rhenz Abando packing some serious heat to start the East Asia Super League festivities in Lapu-Lapu City.
LAPU-LAPU CITY — Rhenz Abando for sure knows his sneaker stuff.
For the opening press conference of the East Asia Super League Final Four here, Abando rocked a pair that truly hold a special place in every Kobe disciple’s hearts.
Rhenz proudly sported the Kobe 11 “Fade to Black,” the same colorway Kobe Bryant wore for his retirement game for the Lakers when he scored 60 points.
“Ito ‘yung farewell shoes niya di ba, na-score ko lang,” Rhenz said when asked about the shoes.
Abando added that he used to wear the 11s on-court, but had little success in them, hence a soft retirement into more casual use.
“Actually sinusuot ko siya sa KBL game, pero almost isang taon ko na ata hindi nasoot,” he said.
“Malas eh… not totally malas. Pero tuwing sinusuot ko hindi ako kumu-quota,” Abando added.
While the Fade to Blacks may not be for him on the court, Rhenz has proven to have strong Mamba Mentality with regard to his on-court sneaker game.
He wore the Kobe V Protro “5 Rings” when he scored his KBL career-high 30 points against the SK Knights in 2022.
For his comeback game from injury last March 3, Rhenz rocked another Kobe V Protro, this time in the Lakers-centric “5x champ” colorway.