JA TO VISIT MANILA
NBA star Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is set to visit Manila this August for the ‘Make Them Watch’ tour, where he will connect with fans and athletes while experiencing Filipino basketball and culture.
# **BREAKING NEWS: Ja Morant to Visit Manila This August for ‘Make Them Watch’ Tour**
July 3, 2025
NBA superstar **Ja Morant**—the electric point guard of the **Memphis Grizzlies** and one of the most explosive athletes of his generation—is heading to **Manila** this August in what’s being billed as one of the most anticipated sports events in recent Philippine history.
Dubbed the **‘Make Them Watch’ Tour**, the visit is part of a global promotional campaign celebrating basketball culture, fan connection, and community engagement. For Filipino fans, it’s more than a tour—it’s a *moment*.
> “I’ve always heard about how passionate the Philippines is about basketball,” Morant said in a video announcement. “Now I finally get to feel it for myself.”
From free basketball clinics and charity events to arena appearances and cultural immersion experiences, Morant’s trip is poised to be both meaningful and unforgettable—for himself, and for the legions of fans awaiting him.
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## **Why Manila? Why Now?**
The Philippines’ love affair with basketball is legendary. From neighborhood *barangay* courts to the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), from ten-year-old kids in slippers draining threes to full-house watch parties for NBA games—basketball *is* life in the Philippines.
The nation’s affection for NBA stars isn’t new. Legends like **Kobe Bryant**, **Stephen Curry**, **LeBron James**, and **Giannis Antetokounmpo** have made memorable trips to the archipelago. But Ja Morant’s visit hits differently.
Why?
Because **Morant’s style of play mirrors the soul of Filipino basketball**—creative, fearless, fast, expressive. His rim-rattling dunks and jaw-dropping agility inspire the kind of joy and awe Filipinos thrive on. He’s the kind of player kids mimic in dusty courts with cracked rims. The kind they yell about during late-night pickup games. The kind whose posters hang in dorm rooms and jeepney windshields.
> “Ja represents what we call ‘puso’—heart,” says Filipino basketball journalist **Mico Halili**. “He plays like he has something to prove every night. That connects deeply with our culture.”
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## **What Is the ‘Make Them Watch’ Tour?**
The tour’s name comes from one of Ja’s most viral mantras—“**Make Them Watch**”—a phrase he coined during his rise through high school hoops, mid-major college basketball, and eventually the NBA.
More than a slogan, it’s a philosophy.
> “It’s about proving yourself even when nobody’s looking. Then, when it’s your time, you make *everyone* watch,” Morant explains.
The Manila leg of the tour will include:
* **Open Basketball Clinic** at the Araneta Coliseum for youth athletes (ages 13–17)
* **Exclusive 1-on-1 Q\&A session** with student-athletes from University of the Philippines, Ateneo, and FEU
* **Celebrity Charity Game** featuring PBA stars and content creators
* **Cultural visit to Intramuros** and local markets
* **Pop-up streetwear collaboration launch** with Filipino designers
* **Fan Meet and Greet** hosted at SM Mall of Asia Arena
The centerpiece will be a **live exhibition game** at the **MOA Arena** where Morant will take the court alongside select local and international talent. Rumors suggest a surprise guest NBA player may join him.
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## **A Cultural Exchange, Not Just a PR Stop**
While many athlete tours focus on the surface-level spectacle, Morant’s visit aims to go deeper.
“He doesn’t want this to be a ‘show up, shoot, leave’ type of thing,” said **Dana Lewis**, Morant’s global brand manager. “He wants to listen. To learn. To hoop, yes—but also to understand what this country feels about the game.”
That’s why his itinerary includes a visit to **Tondo**, one of Manila’s most densely populated communities, where Morant will unveil a refurbished basketball court in partnership with a local NGO, **Project BOLA**.
> “This isn’t just about giving shoes or jerseys,” says NGO founder **RJ de Leon**. “It’s about giving access. Ja’s story is about rising up—and that’s exactly what our kids here need to see up close.”
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## **Local Stars React: “Ja’s Coming? Say Less.”**
News of Morant’s visit sent a tidal wave of excitement across social media. Within hours of the announcement, hashtags like **#JaInManila**, **#MakeThemWatchPH**, and **#GrizzliesInThePH** began trending.
Filipino basketball stars also chimed in.
* **Thirdy Ravena**, the former Ateneo standout and current Japan B.League pro, posted on Instagram:
> “The bounce. The fire. Can’t wait to see the man up close. Welcome to hoops paradise, Ja.”
* **Kiefer Ravena**, his older brother, added on X:
> “Manila ain’t ready. Ja’s about to feel the love.”
* PBA MVP **Scottie Thompson** tweeted:
> “Ja Morant is HIM. No cap.”
Even the **Gilas Pilipinas** national team extended an open invitation for Morant to attend one of their practices.
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## **The Filipino Connection: A Mirror of the Underdog**
What makes Morant so beloved in the Philippines, even before this visit?
It’s the *story*.
A lightly recruited high schooler. A mid-major standout from Murray State. A young man who wasn’t handed fame but *grabbed it*, play by breathtaking play.
> “Filipinos see ourselves in that journey,” says sports historian **Francis Morales**. “We’re not the biggest. We’re not the richest. But we fight with everything we have. That’s Ja’s DNA too.”
In fact, fan accounts dedicated to Morant have popped up across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok in the Philippines. Dozens of Filipino kids wear Grizzlies jerseys to local leagues. Many mimic his signature one-leg windmill dunk, even if they’re 5’4″.
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## **A Business Opportunity—and Something More**
The visit is also backed by Morant’s brand partners, including **Nike**, **Beats by Dre**, and **Powerade**. Limited-edition merchandise, co-branded Filipino artwork, and an exclusive “Manila Bounce” sneaker drop are all scheduled for release.
But sources close to the tour insist Morant pushed to keep **community engagement at the center**.
> “He said, ‘If we’re doing this, I want to be where the real people are. I want to hoop with the kids, not just pose for photos,’” says Lewis.
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## **Security, Logistics, and Anticipation**
According to organizers, Morant will arrive via private jet at **Ninoy Aquino International Airport** on **August 12**, with events beginning **August 13–17**.
Local authorities are working closely with Morant’s team to ensure tight security amid expected crowd surges.
> “We’re anticipating airport crowds in the thousands,” said an MMDA spokesperson. “Plans are in place to handle traffic, crowd control, and safety.”
Tickets to the **MOA Arena showcase** will be free but distributed via online raffle and school partnerships to ensure fair access—especially for youth.
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## **Message to Filipino Fans: “Let’s Make Noise Together”**
In a pre-recorded video shared across social media, Ja Morant spoke directly to the Philippines:
> “To all my fans in Manila—I’ve seen the comments. I’ve seen the edits. I’ve seen the love. And now, I’m coming through. Let’s make noise together. Let’s make *them* watch.”
The video ends with Morant spinning a basketball on one finger, wearing a Barong Tagalog-inspired jersey with “PUSO” stitched across the chest.
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## **The Bigger Picture: Basketball Without Borders**
In the post-pandemic era, the NBA has leaned heavily into global fan engagement. The Philippines—already one of the league’s most loyal markets—is seen as a critical hub for brand expansion and cultural storytelling.
But Morant’s visit is different. Less corporate, more personal. Less “tour stop,” more pilgrimage.
> “This isn’t just about the NBA in Asia,” said ESPN analyst **Jorge Sedano**. “It’s about Ja Morant discovering the world—and the world discovering Ja Morant in return.”
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## **Final Thoughts: Beyond the Dunk**
As anticipation builds, what’s clear is that Morant’s Manila trip is already a success in the hearts of Filipino fans. It affirms a connection that was long felt—even before a single sneaker touched the tarmac.
Whether it’s in a crowded barangay court, a packed arena, or a quiet moment with a child in need, Ja Morant’s visit is set to leave an imprint deeper than any box score.
And maybe, when he leaves, he’ll carry a piece of the Philippines with him—a reminder of why he plays, why he inspires, and why, no matter how high he soars…
…**they’ll always watch.**
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**Stay tuned for full coverage of Ja Morant’s ‘Make Them Watch’ Tour in Manila—only on Courtside Chronicle and our partner networks.**
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