Title: JA IN MANILA! 🇵🇭 Ja Morant Brings His Gravity-Defying Game to The Courtyard for Nike’s “Make Them Watch” Tour
MANILA, Philippines — August 1, 2025.
The streets are buzzing. Basketball courts are packed. Billboards across EDSA glow with one name: Ja Morant. For the first time in his career, the Memphis Grizzlies superstar sets foot in the Philippines—not for an NBA game, but for something arguably more meaningful—a direct, up-close connection with the basketball-crazed heart of Southeast Asia.
As part of his Nike “Make Them Watch” global tour, Ja Morant is making a highly anticipated appearance today at 5:00 PM at The Courtyard in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). And he’s not just showing up—he’s bringing the full show: custom Nike drops, on-court battles, and a message that echoes far beyond the hardwood.
WHY MANILA?
For Nike and Ja, Manila wasn’t just another pin on a global map. It was the destination. Known worldwide for its obsession with basketball—where kids shoot on rimless hoops in alleyways and barangay legends are born daily—Manila offered the perfect storm of passion, grit, and style.
“Filipino fans have always shown love,” Ja said in a pre-arrival message. “Now it’s time I return that love, live and in person.”
Nike’s “Make Them Watch” campaign, launched earlier this year alongside Ja’s Ja 3.0 sneakers, is rooted in the idea of demanding attention not through talk, but through action. For Morant—whose game is a blend of speed, violence, and poetry—it’s personal. And in Manila, where the game is as much about soul as it is about skill, that message hits home.
WHAT’S GOING DOWN AT THE COURTYARD
Starting at 5PM sharp, The Courtyard will transform into a full-blown basketball experience. A temporary mural wall showcasing Ja’s career milestones now stretches 30 feet high. Street dancers and DJs will set the vibe before the main event: a high-intensity open run featuring Ja Morant himself, playing alongside top local ballers and special guests. Rumors suggest appearances from Kai Sotto, Thirdy Ravena, and even NBA Academy alumni.
Perhaps most anticipated is the rumored reveal of the “Ja 3.0 ‘Manila Nights’” edition—a colorway exclusive to the Philippine stop, featuring reflective chrome, neon accents, and textured details inspired by Metro Manila’s vibrant jeepneys and street culture. Only 300 pairs will be available, raffled live to attendees on site.
BEYOND BASKETBALL
While the event is packed with performance, it’s also deeply rooted in inspiration. Ja is expected to deliver a message to young Filipino athletes—many of whom fight uphill battles to pursue their hoop dreams in a country where access to resources doesn’t always match the hunger to succeed.
“This isn’t about just watching Ja dunk,” said Nike Philippines spokesperson Mike Tan. “It’s about showing every young kid in the stands that greatness can come from anywhere. Small towns. Side streets. Even setbacks.”
THE IMPACT
Social media is already flooded with #JAinManila. From sneakerheads lining up overnight to vloggers setting up their cameras near the BGC court, the hype is real. More than 5,000 are expected to attend, with thousands more tuning in via livestream on Nike’s official channels.
For Ja Morant, today is more than a pit stop. It’s a statement.
For Manila, it’s more than a visit. It’s validation.
And for basketball? It’s another powerful reminder that the game doesn’t just belong to arenas—it lives in the people who breathe it.
Catch Ja Morant live today, August 1, 2025, at The Courtyard, BGC, 5:00 PM. Don’t just watch history—be in it. 🇵🇭🔥
