Nike recently unveiled the Sabrina 3 dressed in red, white, and blue with a gold Swoosh, a design deeply rooted in Filipino symbolism. But behind that striking palette lies a more personal origin, it was conceptualized by PBA standout Chris Newsome, who has long used Nike’s customization platform to craft personal pairs during his stints with the Meralco Bolts and Gilas Pilipinas.
For Newsome, however, this release goes beyond style or performance. It represents a narrative shaped by years of representing the country on different stages.
“We had the freedom to choose exactly what we wanted to do, and I wanted to use mine to represent the country,” Newsome said.
That intention eventually aligned with WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, who had her own connection to the Philippines after visiting Manila during her Nike Asia Tour in March 2025.
Her trip, which included an exhibition game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, left a lasting impression—one that quietly set the stage for a collaborative project rooted in shared appreciation for Filipino basketball culture.
Unbeknownst to Newsome at the time, he and Gilas Women’s standout Camille Clarin were later selected by Ionescu herself to help bring a special sneaker concept to life.
“They were offering some players here the opportunity to have a shoe that was made by some of the players, and Camille Clarin and I were actually the two that Sabrina remembered, that she chose for us to be able to create,” he said.
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Chris Newsome described Meralco’s loss as a valuable reality check, stressing the importance of composure, defensive energy, and veteran leadership as the Bolts prepare for a tough playoff battle against TNT or Magnolia. l Via Carlo Villasenor#FastBreak #ChrisNewsome #PBA pic.twitter.com/xx2yrd1H1B
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From there, the process became more than design—it turned into storytelling. Video calls with Nike teams guided them through everything from early concepts to final execution, with each detail reflecting Filipino identity and competitive spirit.
The result was the Nike Sabrina 3 “Laban Pilipinas,” a shoe that blends cultural symbolism with performance aesthetics. White serves as the foundation, layered with blue pleated overlays, red Flywire cables, and matching red embroidery. Gold Swooshes on both sides elevate the design, while “LABAN” is engraved on the left midsole and “PHI” on the right—an unmistakable nod to the national rallying cry.
Subtle details tie it all together are Newsome’s number “3” appears in blue on the heel, while an icy outsole grounds the design in performance readiness. Every element, crafted through Nike By You, reflects intentional storytelling rather than mass production.
“It’s a Nike By You campaign. And they want people to kind of get into the customization of making your own shoe and just supporting Sabrina and her line. And she wants to expand her line globally, make a bigger impact,” Newsome said.
The shoe has already made its on-court debut, first appearing during Meralco’s dominant 112–91 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup last May 1 at the Big Dome. It is expected to become a regular fixture in his rotation moving forward.
More than just a PBA statement piece, Newsome is also planning to bring it to the international stage when FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers resumes in July, further extending its symbolic reach as a representation of Filipino basketball pride.
“I’m excited to wear it in our next window come July,” the 34-year-old Gilas Pilipinas guard said.
On the other hand, Newsome and Meralco Bolts currently sit in fourth place with an 8–4 win-loss record and are set to face the Magnolia Hotshots.
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