Nice Kicks: Here's why your favorite PVL stars wear basketball sneakers on the taraflex

In the sporting realm, the search for the perfect shoe is akin to the quest for the Holy Grail.

So, it should not come as a surprise that countless volleyball players have defied convention just to find the ideal pair, trading traditional footwear choices in favor of basketball sneakers.

This is quite evident in the Premier Volleyball League, where several stars have decided to break free from the mold. One Sports sought after some of them to find out what made them zag, when others zig.

PERFORMANCE

The main driving force behind the upward trend of basketball shoes on the taraflex is functionality, as simple and boring as it may seem.

In a sport where there is constant jumping and quick lateral movements, the need for ankle support, responsiveness, cushioning, and traction are paramount to success.

While traditional volleyball shoes remain the safe and non-wrong option, hoop sneakers continue to push the boundaries of performance by leaps and bounds, so much so that they can seamlessly cross over to another sport. For this exact reason, athletes could not help but get drawn to the rhythmic bounce of soles meant for a different hardwood.

Chery Tiggo Crossovers captain Aby Maraño, who had ankle issues in the past, can attest to that.

Maraño has gained newfound confidence in Stephen Curry’s signature line, which has been engineered by Under Armour to provide the two-time NBA MVP – who also had a history of ankle injuries – a reliable support.

“I've been an avid fan of Stephen Curry shoes since 2018. 'Yung technology kasi sa mga shoes ni Stephen Curry is designed siya for ankle. Eh ako 'yung tipo ng player na matakaw sa ankle sprain before,” the fleet-footed middle blocker bared, as she now regularly rocks the latest and greatest in Steph's line with the Curry 11.

“Noong first time ko siya nagamit, swak na swak siya sa paa ko. Gusto ko 'yung comfort na binibigay niya and meron siyang technology na nakaka-help sa elevation ng talon.”

Admittedly, Maraño took a crack at other kicks but the Currys have proven to be the one.

“Actually sinasabi ko na sa management na ito talaga 'yung shoes na ginagamit ko kasi una sa lahat kapag iba 'yung ginamit ko na shoes sumasakit 'yung paa ko tapos bumabalik 'yung injury. May one time kasi nag try ako ng iba, and worst is hindi ako makalakad after the game,” she recalled.

“'Yun na talagang nagpa-transfer sa akin para gumamit ng Stephen Curry shoes.”

If Curry has a staunch patron in Maraño, then the late, great Kobe Bryant can assemble a whole team. But one stands out as a true Mamba disciple in Creamline superstar Alyssa Valdez.

The decorated Creamline Cool Smasher has been a longtime lover of Nike Kobes, especially the 8th in the Black Mamba's signature line with the Swoosh brand.

“I started wearing the Kobes when we were in college pa,” the Phenom shared. Ironically wearing the green colorway of the local exclusive "Philippine Pack," Alyssa powered Ateneo's first UAAP title in 76, beating the DLSU Lady Spikers in a pair of Kobe 8s. 

“And definitely I like my performance whenever I wear my Kobes. Sa mga ibang atleta na gumagamit ng Kobes na nagvo-volleyball, I guess, they find it very comfortable also na gamitin ‘yun.”

Having won multiple titles with her ever-reliable Kobes, Valdez, who’s also a part of the Nike family, is well aware of the unmatched attention to detail the Laker legend had put into his shoes to ensure top-tier performance.

Bryant's signature line has long been considered as among the greatest in terms of performance, and certainly with their consistency.

Kobe even helped coin the term "protro" (performance retro) to relaunch some of his older silhouettes, and Valdez is among the beneficiaries of the move, as she's now switched back to the Kobe 8s in the all-clean "Halo" colorway late in the 2023 PVL season and through the 2024 calendar. 

“I hope mas lumaki pa ‘yung community natin na gumamit ng mga Kobes for, I think, better performance and more comfortability din,” she said.

One of the younger generation of players who has started to rock Kobes on the court is Cignal hotshot Vanie Gandler.

The 23-year-old HD Spiker, whose ascent to stardom was riddled by harsh criticisms, has been drawing strength not only from Bryant’s shoes but also his revered Mamba Mentality.

“Of course, Kobe is an inspiration to everyone but it’s also my preference. They’re really nice and they’re comfortable so I enjoy wearing them,” Gandler bared, who is among the ones to rock the popular Kobe 6 "Reverse" in the PVL.

She also rocked the Kobe 8s in the all-white "Halo" colorway to start the season.

With performance also comes comfortability, and being comfortable is the name of the game for HD Spikers captain Ces Molina, who commonly rotates between pairs of the Nike G.T. Cut 2, as well as her reliable LeBron 20s in the "Fab Five" colorway. Recently, she's also taken the liking to the Anta-pairs supplied by her own team.

As how she put it, “I think ‘yung focus namin lagi sa shoes is ‘yung comfortability namin, kung saan magiging komportable ‘yung player, especially lagi kaming tumatalon as spikers, good for jumping. So kailangan na alam namin ‘yung tamang shoes para sa paa namin.”

BUSINESS AND SENTIMENTALITY

Safe to say, the transition to basketball shoes has been a game changer for many.

With technological marvels on their feet, volleyball players have found a whole new level of flair in the game. But in some cases, the shoes represent more than just tools for performance.

For Nxled Chameleons captain Dani Ravena, the sneakers she wears on the court hold a deeper emotional connection since it serves as a symbol of family.

The 24-year-old libero shared that most of her coveted kicks were parcels of love sent from Japan by her two brothers, Kiefer and Thirdy, both of whom are making waves in the B.League.

“‘Yun 'yung love language namin para sa isa't isa, we all know lahat kami sneakerhead. So alam niya 'yung value ng shoes na 'yan, it's not even kung gaano siya ka-rare o kung gaano siya ka-expensive, but it's more on like naiisip nila ako while playing abroad,” the youngest Ravena gushed when talking about his kuya Kiefer, her "connect" to get the striking Kobe 6 protros in the "Kay Yow" colorway.

“Kasi feeling nila [Kiefer and Thirdy] naiwan ako, so parang compensate nalang… Siguro 'yun 'yung way of sending me love from Japan,” she furthered.

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A post shared by Dani Ravena (@daniravenaaa)

If there is someone who can perhaps relate to Ravena to an extent, that person would be Filipina-American sensation Brooke Van Sickle.

The Petro Gazz main gunner has been rocking the Nike Sabrina 1s, the first signature shoe of WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, ever since she arrived in the country. Reason being, she shares a connection with the New York Liberty guard, coming all the way from their freshman year in the University of Oregon.

“Sabrina is an amazing person. When I was at University of Oregon, I actually met her. So I went to school with her, we’re both freshmen when we entered Oregon,” Van Sickle revealed.

“She’s one of those players where she’s extremely good but she’s one of the most humble people, even off the court, like insane. Like so easy to talk to, one of the nicest people, she’s very successful and she deserves everything she’s worked hard for. Wonderful, wonderful girl.”

Shoes also hold a similar sentimental value for Valdez, who steered the Ateneo Lady Eagles to their first UAAP women’s volleyball title almost a decade ago in the aforementioned green Kobe 8s from the "Philippines Pack."

“UAAP Season 76 – It was very memorable and historic for us and for me rin. I think isa ‘yun sa masasabi ko kaya ginagamit ko rin siya,” Valdez said.

OG 🥰 S76!!! ©?📸 pic.twitter.com/pbOXG40OGX

— Alyssa Valdez (@AlyssaValdez2) October 31, 2022

For Chery Tiggo ace Eya Laure’s part, the transition to hoop sneakers started as a business decision. Much like others, she has taken a liking to the performance it offers but a certain pair would then become a cherished relic of her volleyball journey.

“Actually kasi part ako ng Nike family that’s why ‘yung mga supplies is basketball shoes na ‘yung ginagamit ko since dati pa naman,” the younger of the Laure siblings shared.

“Actually hindi ako pumipili ng sapatos talaga pero ‘yung pinaka na-impress ako na sapatos na nasuot ko from Nike is GT Cut 1. Naalala ko noong Season 84, ‘yung timbang ko noon parang mage-80 (kilos) pero nakayanan ko kasi parang naka-hug ‘yung feet ko kaya ‘yun ‘yung comfortable akong suotin,” she added.

The original GT Cut was released in 2021 as Nike's tech-heavy shoe in a low top form.

Three years later, Eya still rocks with the GT line, as she's now mostly seen wearing the GT Cut 3. The younger Laure also keeps the LeBron 20 in her rotation, while her ate EJ has been spotted rocking the Kobe 6s.

“Kasi may mga sapatos na volleyball shoes, wala naman akong against sa kanila, malapad lang kasi ‘yung paa ko so mas gusto ko ‘yung mas malapad na feel ko may protection. That’s why pinipili ko lagi ‘yung mga Nike shoes. ‘Yun GT Cut 1 kasi parang hindi mo na kailangan i-break in tapos memorable siya sa akin kasi Season 84.”

STYLE

Let’s also not forget about the swagger factor.

With a plethora of designs and colorways to choose from, basketball shoes provide a splash of color and personality for PVL stars to express themselves on the court.

A common sneaker trend that never truly goes away is sporting bright colorways. Sometimes, the brighter the better. 

In the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, Ravena is the one who packed the most heat yet, busting out the "Kay Yows" that seamlessly combine looks, story, and even price... in the aftermarket at least. 

“It's pink and I love pink. Wala lang, just very grateful na may caring akong brother para ibigay sa akin 'yung shoes na 'yun,” Ravena said.

Another common sneaker trend is mismatched colorways, and the undisputed Queen of Swag takes the cake as she matches her red Curry 11 Bruce Lee "Fire" colorway paired with the blue Curry 11 "Champions Mindset."

“Kapag may binigay na sa akin na supply 'yun talaga gagamitin ko. Kaso ginawa ko ngayon, 'yung isang supply na binigay sa amin bumili pa ako ng isa tapos pinaghalo ko. Bale isang pair na red tapos isang pair na blue and gold. Parang style lang pero same pa rin naman ng unit. Iba lang color,” Marano shared.

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A post shared by Abigail Palmares Maran~o (@abymarano)

With a champion's grace, Alyssa has been keeping it simple with her all-white "Halos." In previous PVL seasons, even going all the way back to the Ilocos bubble, among Valdez's choice of Kobes was the Mamba Focus in just a clean white/black/gum colorway. 

As mentioned, Baddie Vanie has joined the Kobe train with the Kobe 6 "Reverse," a true popular choice with sneakerheads in general as it pay homage and a gives. a different look to the iconic Grinch colorway of the past. 

Check out how other PVL players rock their sneakers:

Cignal libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig's Nike Sabrina 1 "Grounded"

PLDT's prolific scorer Savi Davison's Nike KD 16 "Aunt Pearl"

Galeries Tower libero Alyssa Eroa's Nike Sabrina 1 "BKLYN's Finest"

Galeries Tower Highrisers rock Nike Sabrina 1 "BKLYN's Finest"

Choco Mucho's Deanna Wong lowkey has a fire sneaker game. Before switching to the LeBron 21s, she regularly rocked Kobes before, most of them after the 11 and not necessarily numbered. But she previously rocked the white pair of the Kobe V x Undefeated from the "What If" pack from the 2022 PVL season.

Mars Alba has carried on the legacy of a Choco Mucho setter wearing Kobe shoes, as she's consistently rocking the new Kobe 8 "Court Purples" in 2024. The puple colorway, which has an aqua counterpart, is filled with 8s and 24s, Bryant's two jersey numbers with the Lakers.

Fifi Sharma managed to find a shade of pink brighter than her Akari uniform as she sports the Jordan Zion 3 in the "Pink Lotus" colorway.