BREAKING: Portland Trail Blazers Star Anfernee Simons to Visit Manila This August for the ‘Make Them Watch’ Tour**
NBA star **Anfernee Simons**—one of the league’s most electrifying young scorers and the rising face of the Portland Trail Blazers—is officially heading to **Manila** this August as part of the highly anticipated global campaign, **‘Make Them Watch’ Tour**.
The tour, which already includes confirmed appearances by **Ja Morant**, aims to celebrate basketball’s global culture, bridge players with passionate international fanbases, and spotlight the connection between heart, hustle, and hoop dreams.
For Filipino basketball fans—some of the most devout in the world—Simons’ upcoming visit isn’t just exciting. It’s monumental.
> “Manila is basketball paradise. I’ve heard it from players, fans, and everyone in between,” Simons shared in a personal video announcement. “Now it’s time to feel it for myself. I’m coming through.”
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### **The Journey to the Philippines: Why It Matters Now**
At 25, Anfernee Simons is no longer just “the young gun” from IMG Academy or the raw talent from the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s matured into a high-volume scorer, a reliable clutch performer, and the future centerpiece of a Trail Blazers franchise in transition.
His story—unconventional, overlooked, relentless—resonates deeply with basketball fans around the world, particularly in **the Philippines**, where hoop dreams are born daily on cracked pavement and makeshift courts.
> “Anfernee’s game speaks to the Filipino soul,” said veteran analyst **Charles Tiu**. “He’s all about effort, rhythm, and quiet explosion. You don’t always see it coming—but when it hits, it’s undeniable.”
In other words, Simons isn’t just another NBA name visiting for photo ops. He’s bringing something real—**a story of ascent** that mirrors the grind and grit of Filipino basketball.
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### **‘Make Them Watch’ Tour: What to Expect from Simons’ Manila Visit**
Organizers of the **‘Make Them Watch’ Tour – Manila Edition** have confirmed that **Anfernee Simons** will be in town from **August 14 to August 19**, with an immersive lineup of events designed to engage with local athletes, inspire youth, and dive deep into Filipino culture.
Here’s what the itinerary looks like:
#### 🔹 **August 14 – Arrival & Press Welcome**
Simons lands in **Ninoy Aquino International Airport**, greeted by fans and a cultural performance featuring *Ati-atihan* dancers and a traditional *welcome lei* ceremony.
#### 🔹 **August 15 – Grassroots Basketball Clinic (Tondo, Manila)**
In partnership with **Project BOLA** and **Nike PH**, Simons will host a free basketball skills camp for **underserved youth** in one of Manila’s most iconic basketball communities.
> “We’re not just here to take photos. We’re here to build bridges,” says **RJ de Leon**, founder of Project BOLA. “Simons is going to inspire these kids in ways we can’t yet measure.”
#### 🔹 **August 16 – ‘1-on-1 With Anfernee’ Forum at Ateneo de Manila University**
Simons will sit down for a live, on-stage conversation with local sports journalists, student-athletes, and fans to discuss:
* His journey from IMG to the NBA
* Overcoming doubt and injuries
* Mental health and discipline
* What “Make Them Watch” really means
#### 🔹 **August 17 – Celebrity All-Star Game at MOA Arena**
Simons headlines a full-house **exhibition game** alongside PBA stars, Filipino YouTube hoopers, and surprise guests. Rumors suggest **Scottie Thompson**, **Thirdy Ravena**, and even a former NBA vet may suit up.
Expect high-flying dunks, flashy handles, and moments meant to go viral.
#### 🔹 **August 18 – Culture Tour: Intramuros + Night Market Vlog Collab**
Simons will spend the day exploring **Old Manila**, learning about Filipino colonial history, trying *taho* and *balut*, and filming a street food challenge with local creators.
#### 🔹 **August 19 – ‘Make Them Watch’ Court Refurbishment Reveal**
To cap off the tour, Simons will unveil a newly renovated **barangay basketball court** sponsored by Nike and the Elevate 12 Foundation—his own charitable initiative. The project includes new hoops, painted murals, and scholarships for 10 youth players.
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### **Why Simons? Why Now?**
Unlike many superstar athletes, Anfernee Simons doesn’t come with media frenzy or controversy. What he brings is consistency, humility, and *underrated greatness*—qualities Filipinos admire in spades.
His trip comes at a time when Portland is rebuilding, and Simons is stepping into a leadership role. Some insiders even believe this Manila trip is part of a personal mission to **reconnect with the roots of the game** before the grind of the 2025–26 NBA season begins.
> “He told me he wanted to go somewhere where basketball was *sacred*,” said **James Hudson**, Simons’ agent. “Manila was always at the top of the list.”
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### **The Filipino Hoops Connection: A Shared Spirit**
Basketball is more than a pastime in the Philippines. It’s a way of life.
From dusty backyard courts to glimmering arenas, from *kanto* leagues to school championships, hoops are woven into the national fabric. Every Filipino has a favorite NBA player, a go-to move, and a memory tied to the game.
That makes Simons’ visit feel **personal** to many.
> “He’s got that *tahimik pero galit* (quiet but fierce) energy,” says **Andre Navarro**, a youth coach in Quezon City. “He’s not loud. He doesn’t need to be. He lets his game talk—and that’s how we play here, too.”
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### **Local Stars React**
The announcement of Simons’ tour set social media ablaze.
* **CJ Perez (PBA):** “Anfernee Simons in Manila? Let’s run it. Can’t wait for the All-Star game.”
* **Thirdy Ravena (Japan B.League):** “Always admired his footwork and pace. Will be surreal to see him hoop here.”
* **Mikey Williams (TNT Tropang Giga):** “This is a big win for the culture.”
TikTok and Facebook fan edits soon followed, with fans remixing Simons’ highlights to Tagalog hip-hop tracks and Kapamilya theme songs.
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### **Not Just Basketball: The ‘Make Them Watch’ Philosophy**
To understand the depth of Simons’ tour, you have to understand the phrase **“Make Them Watch.”**
Born from his early years as a virtually unranked high school player, the slogan isn’t about ego—it’s about **visibility, worth, and self-belief**.
> “It means: show up so powerfully that people can’t ignore you,” Simons said in a recent podcast. “Even if they doubted you. Especially if they doubted you.”
That mantra speaks volumes to many young Filipinos who are chasing dreams against long odds—athletically, academically, economically.
> “You have to imagine: a kid who’s 5’6”, growing up in the province, sees Anfernee Simons, who wasn’t a McDonald’s All-American, who went straight to the NBA out of prep school, and made it,” said Coach **Oliver Rivera**. “That changes how he sees himself.”
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### **Sneaker Culture & Local Merch Collabs**
Simons’ visit is also expected to boost **sneaker and streetwear culture** in the Philippines. Nike PH has teased an **exclusive ‘Make Them Watch: Manila’ capsule** featuring:
* A limited-edition hoodie with Filipino tribal patterns
* Customized Air Max 1 “PUSO” colorway
* Co-designed mural jerseys with *Elmer Padilla*, a shoemaker who gained fame for creating slippers out of recycled materials
These will be unveiled during the August 17 All-Star Game and released in limited drops through **Titan**, **Commonwealth PH**, and online raffles.
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### **Legacy Building: The Court That Will Stay**
While the games, photos, and highlights will trend online, perhaps the most lasting impact will be found in **Barangay 596**, where Simons’ Elevate 12 Foundation is investing in **court redevelopment**.
The court, tucked between two tenement buildings in Mandaluyong, is used by nearly 300 local kids weekly. Through Nike and local artists, it will be transformed into a community landmark.
> “This isn’t charity,” Simons said. “This is family.”
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### **What This Visit Means for the Future**
The NBA’s global reach is nothing new—but what’s emerging now is a generation of athletes who want to **go deeper**, to engage with fans **authentically**, and to understand basketball as more than entertainment.
Simons is part of that shift.
> “It’s not just about *being seen*, it’s about *seeing back*,” he told one reporter last week. “Manila is giving me a gift. I want to give something real in return.”
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### **Final Thoughts: From Portland to Pasig**
For one week this August, Anfernee Simons won’t just be a Blazer. He’ll be an honorary Filipino baller. A brother of the blacktop. A guest of the game that lives in every soul here.
And whether he’s throwing down alley-oops in MOA, teaching spin moves in Tondo, or laughing over *turon* in a market stall, one thing is clear:
**They’ll be watching.**
And long after he’s gone, they’ll remember.
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**Stay locked in to Courtside Manila for full coverage of Anfernee Simons’ ‘Make Them Watch’ Tour: event recaps, exclusive interviews, photo drops, and more.
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