After word spread that the Nike Zoom Kobe III MVP editions were going to release, but in limited quantities and only in the Philippines, Sneakerheads were outraged at Nike for another non-U.S. exclusive release.  48 pairs of the ZKIII MVPs released June 21st in the PI, where fans were required to fill out an entry form and hope that their name was selected to purchase a pair of the MVPS:

Nike honors 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant with the launch of the limited edition Zoom Kobe III MVP. This special Zoom Kobe III, first worn by Kobe in the first two games against the Utah Jazz, carries with it the signature Lakers colors of yellow and purple on a white base, with an MVP logo on the tongue.

This coming June 21, Kobe fans who want to own a pair are given the chance to do so as Nike offers the limited edition Zoom Kobe III MVP through an exclusive release at 6:30 pm at Nike Park, Fort Bonifacio, Highstreet. Only 48 pairs of the Zoom Kobe III MVP shoes will be sold in the Philippines.

Those who want to own a pair will be required to fill out entry forms and submit them between 5:30 and 6:15 pm on June 21 at the store. At 6:30 pm, a special draw will be done to determine the lucky customers who will get the chance to purchase the exclusive kicks.

However, shortly after the MVPs went on sale in Asia, news broke throughout the online sneaker community that the Zoom Kobe III MVP edition will be made available in the U.S. starting June 28, 2008.  Confirmed locations include Niketown Los Angeles (NTLA) and possibly KB24.com.  Also, 72 pairs will be sold with a special lucite box with “MVP” inscribed on the cover and will include a limited edition MVP T-shirt. 

UPDATE: NTLA will be handing out wristbands on Thursday morning at 10AM for Saturday’s release of the Nike Zoom Kobe III MVP edition.  Roughly 100 wristbands will be handed out for both the special boxed version and regular boxed version, along with other giveaways. 

Stay tuned for more updates. 

Photo above courtesy of eBay seller “rmkstore”