On September 18, The Space at One Ayala came alive as ArenaPlus officially welcomed its newest brand endorser, NBA superstar Derrick Rose, through an exclusive, invite-only event… and yes, we were lucky enough to be invited!
We started off the celebration entitled “Rose Above the Odds” by enjoying some good, old-fashioned Filipino street food, which set a warm and playful tone that carried through the rest of the event.
ArenaPlus’ President, Mr. Jasper Vicencio, then kicked things off by reminding us all of virtue behind greatness, “Success only ever comes in streaks of both wins and losses. That greatness is not the absence of adversity, but the ability to rise above the odds.”
Guiding the festivities was international sportscaster and host Boom Gonzales, who kept the energy high as the crowd was joined by ArenaPlus’ endorsers Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, Bong Ravena, and Dani Ravena. Adding to the star-studded atmosphere were respected personalities from the Philippine sports scene, including Apple David, Aljon Mariano, Laura Lehmann, and Kyt Jimenez, making it truly a day to remember.
At the heart of the celebration was Derrick Rose, admired worldwide for his resilience and triumphs over adversity, a narrative deeply resonant with the Filipino spirit. His story of perseverance came to life in a special episode of “Inside the Arena,” a live podcast recording hosted by Filipino sportscaster Anton Roxas, where Derrick Rose shared powerful insights that inspired the audience.
“Confidence comes from knowing who you are, and having that discipline and understanding that you can make it far. You know the work and time you put in. You got to know that. Only you and God know that,” Derrick Rose reminded us.
True to ArenaPlus’ commitment to bringing sports closer to every Filipino home, Derrick Rose shares that partnering with the brand lets him move more aspiring athletes to take that next step forward.
Derrick Rose shares his passion for being a catalyst that encourages more Filipinos to rally behind sports and celebrate their love for the game, “You wanna associate yourself with the best people and I feel like my team did a great job seeking the best.. So that we can partner with the right people to create a synergy where we’re able to create moments like these.”
Throughout the afternoon, themes of resilience and determination echoed through the halls of the event. And when asked about his two cents on what impact resilience contributes to athletic success, Derrick Rose proudly shared, “When I tore my ACL I didn’t know what to expect, but I did know that I wasn’t gonna quit. I made sure that I listened to myself, that I attacked my rehab, and I knew that when I got healthy I was gonna make it to year 15 by being myself and listening to myself.”
“With discipline, it teaches you how to become a man. All these years as a young man, (discipline) shaped the kind of man I am right now. Discipline comes with sacrifices.”
The celebration reached another level of excitement with a special exhibition game hosted by ArenaPlus. PBA’s RJ Abarrientos and Von Pessumal gave the crowd a show as they faced off in a fun blindfolded free throw challenge together with Camille Clarin of Gilas Pilipinas.
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Adding to the entertainment, well-known basketball impersonators, LeBWrong James, Stepping Curry, Pinoy Luka, and Not Jordan Clarkson, showed off with playful takes on their superstar counterparts’ signature moves.
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Derrick Rose in Manila
Guests were also invited to test their own skills through a series of interactive brand activations spread across the Game Hall. From a lit-up free throw challenge to a lively basketball pong station, and even a dunk wall photobooth that let fans feel like dunkers for a day, every activity brought the thrill of the game closer to the attendees.
Of course, no effort was put to waste as ArenaPlus made sure that its best participants took home exclusive on-the-day merch and its attendees came home with memories from a day they’ll never forget.
ArenaPlus is proud of pioneering responsible gaming among sports fans. The #RoseAboveTheOdds event not only celebrated Filipino culture and sportsmanship but also reinforced ArenaPlus’ dedication to fostering a community built on resilience and responsible gaming.
To know more about the action, follow @arenaplusph and #RoseAboveTheOdds on social media.
