NBA star guard Ja Morant made basketball fans’ warm Friday evening much hotter, as the Memphis Grizzlies' franchise player made a memorable stop to the Philippines.
Morant graced Nike’s The Courtyard in Taguig City on Friday -- the final stop of his "Make Them Watch" tour.
He watched the match between Team Barangay, bolstered by Nike athletes Rhenz Abando, CJ Cansino and Jack Animam, and Team La Salle Zobel, led by Jerong Teng, Ricci Rivero and Marga Jimenez.
During the game, the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year, two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA Second Team member gave a pair of autographed shoes to a fan who was celebrating his birthday.
He then took some time with another fan who had Morant’s tattoo on his body.
Of course, it would not be complete without Morant doing the “griddy” on the floor.
It’s been good. Everybody has been very welcoming, loving to us. I’m super excited to be here,” Morant said during the event.
The guard likewise signed locker number 12 in the Courtyard, leaving his mark in Manila.
“Siyempre personally, you know, makita yung ganito karaming babae to join this event, sobrang happy. Nung bata ako, wala [masyadong events like this for women,] but now, unti-unti, meron na,” Animam told reporters after the exhibition game, where a handful of girls' basketball players competed.
“Kudos to Nike for having this event. And you know, we’re a basketball-crazed country so dapat lang na yung mga basketball star dito pumunta and the kids can see kasi representation matters,” she added.
“To see these girls play, hindi lang basta laro and talagang may skills and talent, wow. Amazing.”
For his part, Cansino said that he is happy to see an NBA player like Morant visit the country and inspire the youth.
“Siguro yung hard work niya and consistency niya, kasi nakikita naman natin sa NBA na nagkaroon siya ng injury and nakabalik na. Marami rin siyang pinagdaanan, and you know, andito pa rin siya, tumutulong and nagiging inspiration sa mga bata,” the Meralco Bolt said.
“Siyempre, 'pag player ka, may mga titignan ka talagang mga NBA player e. Kakaiba yung mga pinagdaanan nila e. So siyempre, isa si Ja Morant doon, and alam mo yun, sobrang happy ako na andito siya sa Manila.”
Nike earlier said that the event is “part of Ja’s effort to connect with the local basketball community and immerse himself in Philippine basketball and culture.”
