I still remember the day I found my first soccer jersey from childhood tucked away in my parents' attic. The once-vibrant red had faded to a dull pink, and the fabric felt brittle to the touch. That moment sparked my journey into learning how to properly preserve these pieces of sporting history, much like how teams preserve their legacies through tournaments. Speaking of tournaments, just last Saturday I was following the exciting developments at the USEP Gym in Davao City where BLACKWATER and NLEX secured their spots in the 2025 Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament finals. It struck me how these moments become part of sports history, and the jerseys worn during such games become tangible connections to those memories.
When I started framing jerseys, I made every mistake in the book. I used regular glass that let UV rays damage the fabric, cheap cardboard backings that eventually stained the material, and acidic tapes that left permanent marks. It took ruining a limited edition jersey from my favorite team to realize that preservation requires more than just sticking something in a frame. The process is surprisingly similar to how teams prepare for important matches - you need the right materials, proper technique, and understanding of what you're trying to achieve. Just as BLACKWATER and NLEX are preparing their strategies for the upcoming championship clash, you need to prepare your framing approach carefully.
The single most important decision I've made in jersey preservation is choosing UV-protected glass or acrylic. Regular glass might cost around $20-30 less per frame, but it allows about 60-70% of harmful UV rays to pass through, fading colors over time. I learned this the hard way when I framed a bright yellow jersey that within two years looked like someone had spilled tea on it. The premium UV-protected glass might set you back about $80-100 for a standard frame size, but it blocks 99% of UV radiation. Think of it like investing in quality training facilities for athletes - the better the environment, the longer the performance lasts.
What really transformed my framing approach was visiting a professional sports memorabilia shop and seeing how they handle game-worn jerseys. The owner showed me his technique of using acid-free backing boards and museum-quality mounting materials that won't degrade over decades. He explained that poor framing materials can reduce a jersey's lifespan from potentially 100+ years to just 10-15 years. I started applying these methods to my own collection, and the difference was remarkable. The jerseys I framed five years ago still look as vibrant as the day they were worn, much like how memorable sporting moments - like those from the Kadayawan Invitational Tournament - remain vivid in our minds years later.
Positioning the jersey within the frame is where you can get creative. I personally prefer the classic "player-ready" look where the jersey appears as if it's about to be worn, with slight natural folds in the fabric rather than stretched perfectly flat. This approach makes the display feel more alive, more connected to the game itself. I remember framing a basketball jersey from a local championship game using this method, and visitors often comment how it looks like it could be pulled right out of the frame and worn for the next quarter. It's about capturing that energy, similar to the anticipation building around the BLACKWATER versus NLEX final matchup.
The environment where you hang your framed jersey matters more than most people realize. I made the mistake of hanging my first properly framed jersey in direct sunlight, and even with UV protection, the heat caused the fabric to become brittle over time. Now I always recommend placing framed jerseys on interior walls away from direct light sources, in rooms with stable temperature and humidity. Ideal conditions are around 68-72°F with 45-55% humidity - conditions that might remind you of the controlled environments in professional sports facilities where they preserve historical items.
Over the years, I've framed about 37 jerseys for myself and friends, and what I've learned is that the best framing tells a story. When I look at my framed collection, each piece evokes specific memories - not just of games, but of the era, the players, the significance of particular matches. The jerseys from championship games especially carry that weight. As we anticipate the clash between BLACKWATER and NLEX for the 2025 Kadayawan crown, I can't help but think about how the jerseys from that game will become cherished pieces for fans and players alike. Proper framing ensures those memories stay vivid, the colors remain true, and the legacy of those moments continues to inspire long after the final whistle blows.
