Designed by a Filipino, Anthony Edwards' new signature kicks an ode to Philippine basketball

MANILA, Philippines — It is definitely a nod to the Filipino basketball faithful.

Sports apparel and shoe giant Adidas recently dropped Minnesota star Anthony Edwards’ second signature basketball shoes, whose special colorway was designed by Filipino Melvin Rodas.

The design is “inspired by the community, pride, and fearless energy of Filipino basketball culture,” said the company.

The special-edition pair has been labeled “Magpakitang Gilas”.

“In the Philippines, basketball isn’t just played — it’s lived. From barangay courts to packed leagues, it’s where style, skill, and pride collide. The Anthony Edwards 2 ‘Magpakitang Gilas' taps into that mindset: show up, stand out, and bring your people with you,” Adidas said in a news release.

For the design, Rodas employed “a dynamic gradient of blue hues flows across the upper — from light to deep tones — symbolizing bayanihan, the shared effort of a community pushing forward together from day to night.”

“Contrasting the deep blues is a vibrant cool red sockliner — a modern, energized take on the red of the Philippine flag — creating a striking visual when worn while grounding the design in national identity. Accents of lime yellow, seen in the stitching across the tongue and upper, reinterpret the sun’s rays in a more contemporary, high-energy tone, adding brightness and movement to the silhouette,” adidas’ news release added.

"Hyperlocal storytelling continues through hidden and tactile details. The inner tongues feature split messaging: ‘Magpakitang Gilas' on the left shoe and ‘Shine for the Squad’ on the right, reinforcing both local pride and global attitude. At the lace tips, subtle 'Pilipinas” and ‘Basketball’ callouts offer a playful yet meaningful nod to the game’s deep roots in the country.”

Rodas, for his part, said these details should be a reflection of Filipinos’ passion for basketball, without a doubt the top sport in the Philippines.

“I wanted the design to reflect what basketball means to Filipinos: pride, teamwork, and bayanihan. The idea was to create something built by many and worn with pride — and something that carries the spirit of the Philippines in every detail,” said Rodas.

Performance-wise, the shoe features the following:

• Lightstrike midsole for speed and responsiveness
• Boost cushioning for impact and comfort
• Secure fit for control on quick cuts and explosive moves

adidas said the Anthony Edwards 2 has been developed under its partnership with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), with adidas being the official apparel provider of the Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team.

A pair of “Magpakitang Gilas” retails for P8,000 at adidas.com.ph and select adidas stores.